Leigh J. Snyder

Leigh Johnson Snyder, 71 of Newman, formerly of Chrisman, passed away in her sleep at home (as she had hoped for) from end stage kidney failure, Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Leigh Ellyn was born February 3, 1952 to F. Keith “Pete” & Betty (Wax) Johnson in Paris, Illinois. She married Randy Snyder on November 24, 1982 at the Hume United Methodist Church, in Hume, Illinois. He preceded her in death on December 1, 2021.

Leigh was the valedictorian of the Chrisman High School Class of 1970. She went on to graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Danville Junior College in 1972. Leigh was a very talented musician—pianist and organist. In 1967, she was asked to play the organ at the Chrisman United Methodist Church and the rest, as they say, is history. Leigh played for over 45 Chrisman High School graduations starting the year after she graduated. She went on to play for countless weddings and funerals, also.

Leigh loved her animals. After her family welcomed a dachshund in 1961, she continued to raise them her entire life and spent many years showing standard smooth dachshunds. In 1999, Leigh was at the Edgar County fair when an orphaned llama caught her eye and brought him home the following weekend. She was instrumental in initiating many llama shows in east central Illinois and west central Indiana over the last 20 years. Leigh retired in September 2014, after 15 years at the University of Illinois, to be a full-time, stay-at-home Grandma the following March when her grandson was born. Leigh loved being a grandma to 2 beautiful grandkids, as she would tell you. Randy and Leigh owned Snyder’s Variety Store in the ’90s operating in Newman, Oakland and Chrisman, before closing.

Leigh is survived by her only child, Jaye Hilaree, who was born on Leigh’s 33 rd birthday, as well as her favorite son-in-law, Pat Sanstrom, a granddaughter, Layke Jewell, a grandson, Anchor James, all of Newman, her sisters, Jo (Steven) Miller of Clinton, Illinois, and Bonnie Johnson (Chuck Smith), of Alvin, Illinois, her mother-in-law, Joetta Hochstetler, her sister-in-law, Desiree (Patrick) Rhode, her brothers-in-law, Terry (Donna) Snyder and Dan (Lori) Rule. Leigh has been blessed with an amazing caregiver, Danielle Davis, who has become like family. She is also survived by 2 dogs, Iggy and Dandy, 3 horses, 5 llamas and an alpaca.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Leigh’s visitation will be Sunday, June 25 th from 4pm to 7pm at the Joines Funeral Home in Newman. Her funeral will be Monday, June 26 th , at 11 am at the Chrisman United Methodist Church with burial at Fairfield Cemetery, north of Newman. The family would like to invite all attendees to join them at the Hume Community Center for luncheon following the graveside services. Memorials may be made in Leigh’s name to the Chrisman United Methodist Church.

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