Ronald E. Snodgrass

Ronald E. Snodgrass, 71, formerly of Columbia City, passed away quietly at 7:40 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2016, at his home in Garrett. He had been in declining health.

He was born Nov. 16, 1944, in Bloomingdale, a son of the late John W. and Pauline (Campbell) Snodgrass. As a young boy, the family moved around the state but he finished high school in South Whitley.

On July 16, 1965, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he rose to the rank of sergeant as a weather observer. On Aug. 10, 1969, he was honorably discharged.

He returned to the Columbia City area and began his 35-year career with Norfolk and Southern Railroad as a bridge engineer. Since 2011, he resided in Middlebury until the fall of 2015, when he moved to Garrett.

He was an accomplished carpenter. An avid outdoorsman, he loved to fish, hunt and camp. He also enjoyed both vegetable and flower gardening.

He is survived by his two children: David Snodgrass, Sturgis, Mich., and Susan (Louis) Null, Garrett; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters: Sandra Smith and Loretta Snodgrass, and two brothers: John and Richard Snodgrass, all of Columbia City.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Snodgrass.

The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, at Smith and Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will be in the Nolt Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the service Tuesday at the funeral home.