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Norman and Jennie with Mabel and Clarence

Jennie (Enos) Snyder was born on Aug. 9, 1881 near Normalville, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of Perry and Joanna (Minerd) Enos.

In early adulthood, prior to marriage, Jennie was active in the Poplar Run Sunday School and served as its librarian. She and her husband belonged to this church all their lives.

On Dec. 15, 1903, when she was age 22, Jennie was united in marriage with 25-year-old Norman S. Snyder (1878-1954). He was the son of John S. and Melinda (Shaffer) Snyder of Indian Head in nearby Saltlick Township. Rev. J.W.K. Salomon performed the nuptials.

At the time of marriage, Norman earned a living as a laborer.

The couple went on to have 10 known children – Clarence Snyder, Mabel Richter, Nettie Snyder, Alverda Firestone, Pauline Brown, Kathryn Prinkey, James Ernest Snyder, Charles Edward Snyder, Dollie Laymon and Erma Laymon McCue.  Sadly, daughter Nettie died as an infant.

They resided at Bakersville, Somerset County, PA in the early 1910s, before settling at White near Normalville. Circa 1920, when the federal census was enumerated, the family resided near Indian Head in Saltlick Township, and Norman operated his own blacksmith shop. Later, in the 1940s, Norman was supervisor of road maintenance for 24 years in Saltlick Township. The family were members of the Poplar Run Church of God of Prophecy. 

Several of the Snyder daughters liked to tease by calling each other "Hen Miner," the name of a grand-uncle, Henry A. Miner. The story was that the uncle "would get his temper up" or "got upset" or more accurately "got spells" and this was derogatory enough in the minds of the girls that it made for a good insult.

When she was widowed and in her later years, Jennie's mother came to live in their home. As her mind began to fail, and her memory play tricks from decades earlier, she would awaken in the middle of the night and rouse Jennie, saying it was time to kill chickens and cook and bake for the threshers who were staying there to work. Sometimes, during those episodes, Jennie would gently say "Mother, let's go back to bed, we'll take care of it in the morning." At other times, however, the two of them would be up most of the night. Then in the morning, when Jennie would ask about it, her mother would say, "Why didn't you smack me in the face and tell me to go to bed?" But, as one of Jennie's daughters later recalled, "You couldn't tell my grandmother anything like that."

Norman endured kidney disease for a decade prior to his death. When he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage in early June 1954, he died only four days later, at home, on June 8, 1954 after “an extended illness," said the Courier. Rev.'s William Smith and Charles Uphold officiated at the funeral service. The Courier noted that among Norman's survivors were 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Jennie was afflicted for two decades with chronic bronchial problems. She died a little more than a year after her husband, from complications of heart disease, on June 18, 1955. They are buried in Normalville Cemetery.

~ Son Clarence E. Snyder ~

Son Clarence E. Snyder (1904-1957) was born on May 24, 1904, in Indian Head, Fayette County, the eldest of the Snyder children. 

Tragically, he suffered from a congenital birth defect -- "hydrocephalus," a fluid building up in the skull and commonly called "water on the brain" -- which led to an over-enlarged head for his entire life. A photograph of him in childhood seems to suggest he also was burdened with a lazy eye which may have been a side-effect of his ailment. 

At the age of 19, in 1930, he lived under his parents' roof and had no occupation.

Clarence never married and never left the area, and eventually became blind. When the federal census enumerations were made in 1940 and 1950, he continued to dwell with his father and mother and had no job. He held a membership in the Popular Run Church of God of Prophecy.

At the age of 52, burdened with kidney ailments, he was admitted to Connellsville State Hospital. There, on April 23, 1957, after a stay of three weeks, he succumbed to the spectre of death. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Charles Upole. Burial was in Normalville Cemetery, and the Connellsville Daily Courier published an obituary.

Earl and Mabel, early 1940s

~ Daughter Mabel (Snyder) Richter ~

Daughter Mabel Snyder (1906-1993) was born on Jan. 29, 1906 in Saltlick Township, Fayette County. 

On May 14, 1923, at Freed or Stauffer near Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County, PA, the 17-year-old Mabel was united in marriage with 19-year-old Earl Richter (1903-1974). The ceremony was preformed by Jim Wiltrout, said to have been "a one armed justice of the peace." Earl was the son of Allen and Harriet (Robbins) Richter, and at the time of marriage worked as a laborer.

They had five daughters -- Beulah Berger, Helen Nicholson, Grace Kooser, Mae Grimm and Erma E. White.

The family moved to a farm near White and remained there actively farming for decades.

Said the Connellsville Daily Courier, Earl "was a retired farmer and conducted a farm products route in Connellsville for more than 35 years.  He also was a former coal miner. He was a member of the Clinton Church of God, and was choir leader, a former elder, Sunday school superintendent and teacher of the Men’s Bible Class.” 

Mabel had a deep love for family history and retained in he memory many stories she had been told by her parents, uncles and aunts. She kept a collection of hundreds of Daily Courier obituaries of family and friends.

Sadly, Earl was stricken and died on arrival at Connellsville State General Hospital at the age of 70 on March 28, 1974. Survivors included 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mabel outlived him by nearly two decades. She passed away at home on Sept. 6, 1993, at the age of 87. An obituary in the Greensburg Tribune-Review noted that she was survived by 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Interment was in the Normalville Cemetery, with Rev. John L. Woods officiating at the funeral.

Daughter Erma E. Richter (1923-2013) was born on Aug. 15, 1923 in Normalville. When she was age 20, on Aug. 10, 1944, at Donegal, PA, Erma married 21-year-old farmer Ivan L. White (1923-1999), son of Spurgeon and Mary J. (Whetzel) White. They had two children -- Judy Kalp and I. Robert "Bob" White. They lived in Acme and were members of the Clinton Church of God. A member of Local 1058, Ivan spent many years working in road construction for Vipond and Vipond and later became a coal miner and member of the United Mine Workers of America. He loved to hunt and fish and belonged to the Normalville Rod and Gun Club. He passed away on May 27, 1999, in Frick Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. Erma survived her husband by 14 years. She died on April 7, 2013, at the age of 89, the last surviving member of her family of siblings. Following a funeral led by Rev. Joseph Wingrove Jr., she was laid to rest beside her spouse in the Normalville Cemetery. At Erma's death, she was survived by five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 

• Grandson Ivan Robert "Bob" White (1946-2013) was born on Dec. 10, 1946 in Acme, PA. He was a 1964 graduate of Connellsville High School. Robert married Elaine Kinneer ( ? - ? ) in about 1966, and their union stood the test of time of 47 years together. The pair bore two children -- Shannon Kay Fess and Cale White. The Whites settled in Acme. He was a longtime carpenter employed by Verco Company in Latrobe, PA, specializing in drywall finishing. He enjoyed golfing and the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. Sadly, suffering from cancer, Robert died at the age of 66, on Nov. 4, 2013, just seven months after his mother. Burial was in Brown Cemetery, led by Rev. Randy C. Newell. An obituary appeared in the Greensburg Tribune Review.

  Great-granddaughter Shannon Kay White married Paul Fess. They were in Mount Pleasant, PA in 2013. Two children of the pair are Marissa White and Mallory White.

  Great-grandson Cale White ( ? - ? ) - Circa 1997, Cale was a counselor with Adelphoi Village Inc. in Connellsville. He wed Karla. They put down roots in Acme and are the parents of Brandon Fess and Brett Fess. 

• Granddaughter Judy White married Fred Kalp, son of Caton and Beulah (Cramer) Kalp. They have dwelled in Acme and had three children -- Kimberly Denise Adkison, Lisa Renee Kalp and Barry Fred Kalp. In 2018, they are believed to have traveled to State College, PA to see their granddaughter Katelyn Adkison serve as student marshal for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences for the fall graduation commencement.

  Great-granddaughter Kimberly Denise Kalp ( ? -living) - She wed Perry N. Adkison (May 22, 1963-2008), a native of Alaska and the son of Perry and Norma (Winchell) Adkison. Their marriage spanned 17 years together until cleaved apart by death. They together produced a duo of offspring -- Katelyn Adkison and Michael Adkison. The family settled in Cary, NC. Over the years, he published several letters to the editor of the Raleigh News & Observer. The family was plunged into mourning when Perry died at the age of 45 on June 6, 2008. Pastor Richard P. Wilkerson officiated the funeral service, and the News & Observer published an obituary. Their daughter Katelyn received a degree in 2018 in material science and engineering, summa cum laude, from Pennsylvania State University. Katelyn took part in the Women in Science and Engineering Research, funded by the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium. She also conducted research to help "identify ideal oxide source materials for molecular beam epitaxy, a process used to manufacture semiconductors for electronics," said the university. Her first employment after graduation was with Carpenter Technology Corporation of Reading, PA, a producer of specialty metal alloys.

Daughter Beulah Harriet Richter (1925-1994) was born on April 11, 1925 in Melcroft. She married Denver Berger (1921- ? ) in about 1946, and the couple remained married for 48 years. They produced six children -- Betty Ann Stauffer, Bonnie K. Newcomer, Connie Stauffer, Susan Lorene Berger, Becky Lynn Berger and Brian D. Berger. They belonged to the Clinton Church of God and made their home in White near Normalville. Sadly, they endured the death of their daughter Susan who died April 2, 1964 (or 1965) at the age of about seven. Beulah died in Pittsburgh's Allegheny General Hospital on Dec. 4, 1994, at the age of 69. 

• Granddaughter Betty A. Berger married George Stauffer. Their children were Michael George Stauffer and Tracy Lynn Stauffer. As of 1994, they dwelled in Mount Pleasant, PA.

• Granddaughter Bonnie Berger wed James Carmen Newcomer III ( ? - ? ), son of James Carmen and Genevieve (Brundige) Newcomer Jr. They produced a brood of three children -- Lori Beth Newcomer, James Denver Newcomer and Sally Megan Newcomer. The Newcomers made their dwelling-place in Uniontown in the mid-1990s.

• Granddaughter Connie M. Berger ( ? - ? ) is a 1970 graduate of Connellsville Area High School. In young womanhood she earned a living as a service representative for Bell of Pennsylvania. In 1975, in the Clinton Church of God, she was united in marriage with Paul Douglas Stouffer (June 22, 1951-2022), originally from Connellsville and the son of Paul and Eva Jean (Caldwell) Stouffer. Rev. John L. Woods officiated. The groom was a 1969 graduate of Connellsville Area, earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1974 from California State College. He was employed by United States Steel Corporation in Clairton at the time of marriage. Their first home was on Brown Street in Everson. Later, they settled in Normalville. Their two sons were Justin Douglas Stouffer and Ryan Paul Stouffer. Grief blanketed the family when Paul died at the age of 71 on Aug. 28, 2022.

• Granddaughter Becky Lynn Berger (?).

• Grandson Brian Denver Berger married Amy Richter, daughter of Frank J. and Connie (Showman) Richter of Normalville. They resided in Acme, PA in 1994 and she in Greensburg in 2023. 

Daughter Helen Lorene Richter (1927-1990) was born on March 26, 1927 in or near Normalville. On Sept. 21, 1945, she married 19-year-old farmer Teddy Wilson Nicholson (1926-1979). He was the son of Jesse and Bessie (Miller) Nicholson of Saltlick Township. The Nicholsons produced four children -- Teddy W. Nicholson Jr., Kenneth E. Nicholson, Janet Bird and Patricia Wigfield. Teddy Sr. "was a life-long resident of Clinton and for years was a self-employed general construction contractor," said the Daily Courier, and "for the past two years he was a heavy equipment operator for the Laurel Ridge Coal Company." Helen belonged to the Clinton Church of God, and Teddy to the Kingdom Hall Jehovah's Witnesses. Teddy died at the age of 53 in Connellsville State General Hospital on April 30, 1979. Helen died at home at the age of 63 on Nov. 26, 1990.

• Grandson Teddy Wilson Nicholson Jr. married Joyce Brown and lived in Normalville. Their children were Christopher Nicholson and Kelly Clark. Sadly, son Christopher died in infancy in November 1971.

• Granddaughter Janet Grace Nicholson married Ronald Bird Sr. and made their home in Markleysburg, Fayette County. Their only known son was Ronald Bird Jr.

• Grandson Kenneth Earl Nicholson was wedded to Patricia Chearney. The family resided in Normalville. Their four children were twins Sheila Nicholson and Sherri Nicholson, Douglas Nicholson and Joylene Nicholson. Sadly, children Douglas and Joylene passed away in infancy.

• Granddaughter Patricia Nicholson married Wesley Wigfield. They lived in Latrobe, Westmoreland County. They produced two offspring -- Tara Brianna Wigfield and Shanna Dinelle Wigfield.

Daughter Grace Kooser (1929-2009) was born on March 18, 1929. She wed John "French" Kooser Sr. (May 17, 1931-2017), son of Henry and Bertha (Dull) Kooser of Mill Run. Their children were John French Kooser Jr. and Tamera Jo "Tammy" Jordan. They resided in Normalville for many years and then in Mill Run in the early 1990s. The Koosers were members of the Indian Creek Baptist Church, where French sang in the church choir and served in various leadership roles, and they attended the Poplar Run Church of God of Prophecy. French was employed for 34 years at Anchor Hocking Glass in South Connellsville. After retiring in 1986, he worked at Seven Springs Resort, where he retired (again) in 2006 after two decades. He also earned extra income driving school buses for the Colborn company, serving Connellsville Area School District, and he and his son John owned and operated a beer cabble farm. Sadly, then endured the early death of their son John in July 2009. Just under three months later, Grace joined her son in death on Sept. 29, 2009. French survived his wife by almost eight years. He passed away six days after his 86th birthday on May 23, 2017. His remains were placed into repose in the Indian Creek Baptist Cemetery, with Rev. Randy Winemiller and Rev. Christ McLaughin jointly officiating at the funeral.

• Grandson John French Kooser Jr. (1955-2009) was born on Aug. 31, 1955 in Connellsville. He was a longtime farmer, he studied welding and supplemented his income by working at Anchor Hocking for three decades. He also was employed as a bus driver for Colborn's for 10 years, with Kern Brothers Lumber for five years and at Wal-Mart for two years. He was a member of the Indian Creek Baptist Church. Stricken with cancer, he died at age 53 on July 7, 2009 in Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. Rev. John B. Davis oversaw the funeral service and burial at Indian Creek Baptist cemetery.

• Granddaughter Tamera Jo "Tammy" Kooser married Michael Jordan. In 2017, their home was in Normalville.

Edward and Mae Grimm, 1953

Daughter Mae Fern Richter (1931-2010) was born on May 11, 1931. She married Edward Grimm (1928-2015), son of Sarah Grimm Hardy of Bobtown, Greene County, PA. The couple is seen here in a photograph taken in mid-September 1953. They resided in Acme, Fayette County, and had two children -- Peggy Ritenour Mansberry and Kerry Grimm. During the Korean War, Edward served in the U.S. Army and for a time was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. After the war, he worked for many years for Franco Construction as a carpenter. Mae was employed as a presser for Union Apparel in Norvelt and Carolee in Connellsville. They were members of the Clinton Church of God, where Mae played piano during worship services. 

In 1993, during an initial visit by the founder of this website, escorted by cousin John J. "Jack" Campbell, Mae and her elderly mother welcomed strangers into the old family home and told important stories about the family's earlier years. In 2000, Mae and her family came to our national reunion and posed for a five-generation photo with her mother's cousin Frank Enos, daughter Peg, granddaughter Lori and great-granddaughter Alyssa. Sadly, Mae passed away at the age of 78 on April 29, 2010, ending 56 years with her husband. She was laid to rest in the Normalville Cemetery. Edward survived his bride by five years. He joined her in eternity on March 26, 2015, while a resident of Eicher's Family Home in Normalville. 

• Granddaughter Peggy Sue Grimm is a 1972 graduate of Connellsville Area High School. She has been married twice and has two children -- Edward William Ritenour and Lorelle Beth Geyer. Peg has served as vice president of our annual reunion committee.

• Grandson Kerry Grimm married Robin Shipley. They resided near Normalville and had three children: Robert Lee Grimm, Michael Joseph Grimm and Brent Wayne Grimm. In November 2005, while they were away, a fire destroyed their home despite the best efforts of fire companies from Satlick Township, Normalville and Ohiopyle-Stewart.

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Verda Firestone - courtesy Bonnie (Pfeifer) Morell

~ Daughter Verda (Snyder) Firestone ~

Daughter Alverda "Verda" Snyder (1911-1985) was born on Jan. 30, 1911 near Indian Head, Fayette County, PA. 

As a young girl, she occasionally provided house-keeping chores for her widowed great-aunt, Amanda (Williams) Miner of Normalville.

On Nov. 22, 1933, when she was age 21, Verda entered into the rite of marriage with 19-year-old Carl L. Firestone (1914-1983), son of Jerry M. and Sarah (Murray) Firestone. News of their marriage license was made public in the Connellsville Daily Courier. 

In an interesting twist, Carl's sister Elsie was joined in matrimony with Verda's distant cousin Albert J. "A.J." Firestone Jr., of the family of Grant Louis and Christene (Kirkwood) Firestone Sr.

The Firestones made their longtime home in Melcroft in the Indian Creek Valley of Fayette County.

Together, they produced a family of three daughters -- Jenny Davison, Patricia Wilders and Geraldine Keyser.

During World War II, Carl served in the U.S. Army, training at Camp Hood, TX. 

Upon his return home, Carl worked as a coal loader in the local mines. He is known to have been employed of Marsolino Construction Company and held a membership in the United Mine Workers of America. He held a membership in the Donegal post of the American Legion.

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Connellsville region coal mining operation

Carl died at home at the age of 69 on Nov. 3, 1983. Burial was in Normalville Cemetery. Rev. James Vanderworn and Rev. Robert McNeel led the funeral service. At the time of Carl's passing, he and Verda were just 19 days shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Verda lived in widowhood for two years. She died on June 25, 1985, in Pittsburgh's St. Francis Hospital. An obituary in the Daily Courier reported that she was survived by five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Daughter Jenny Mardell Firestone (1935- ? ) was born in about 1935. She married Abraham Curtis Davison (Aug. 26, 1928-2011) of Friedens, Somerset County, PA, and the son of Abraham and Lydia (Young) Davison. They stayed together for a remarkable 57 years until the separation of death. The Davisons put down roots in Abraham's hometown. Their two sons were William Leslie Davison Sr. and Curtis A. Davison. Abraham served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Once back home, he was employed by GMS Grove 3 in Jennerstown as a coal miner. He held a membership in the United Mine Workers of America and belonged to the New Life Assembly of God. When time allowed, he liked to fish, hunt and watch football. With his health in decline, Abraham was admitted to UPMC Montefiore Hospital. There, at the age of 82, he died on Feb. 19, 2011.

• Grandson William Leslie Davison Sr. (1956-1996) was born on June 30, 1956 in Connellsville. He was a 1974 graduate of Chartiers-Houston High School in Washington County. He wed Cynthia Susanna Setto (1956-living). Together, they bore a son, William Leslie Davison Jr. William Sr. was employed by the Lion Mining Company. The family lived in Husband near Somerset and attended New Life Assembly of God Church. Sadly, at the age of 40, William Sr. died in Somerset Hospital on Oct. 3, 1996. The remains were lowered into eternal repose in Weller Cemetery, with Rev. Thomas J. Kroll presiding over the rites. An obituary was printed in the Somerset Daily American. Cynthia has outlived her spouse by decades and tied the marital cord again with (?) Masterson. 

• Grandson Curtis A. Davison married Doris Zerfoss. They dwelled in Friedens in 2011. 

Daughter Patricia Firestone (1941- ? ) was born in about 1941. She was a 1958 graduate of Connellsville Joint High School. On Oct. 24, 1959, she wed William Wilders ( ? - ? ), son of George D. and Goldie (Hostetler) Wilders of Melcroft. The wedding was conducted by the hand of Rev. William Wallace in the Melcroft Assembly of God Church. In announcing the happy event, the Connellsville Daily Courier printed the couple's portrait and said that the bride wore "a bouffant waltz-length dress of white lace. The sleeveless bodice was topped with a tight-fitting lace jacket, featuring elbow-length sleeves and tuxedo lapels and collar. On her hair she wore a cap of white velvet leaves." William was a 1951 Connellsville High graduate. The Wilders settled in Melcroft, where he was employed by the Eastern Gas & Fuel Association. Their one known daughter was Tambra Diane "Tammy" Wilders.

• Granddaughter Tambra Diane "Tammy" Wilders (1960- ? ) was born in 1960. At her first and second birthdays, she was pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Daughter Geraldine Ellen Firestone (1943- ? ) was born in about 1943. She was a 1962 graduate of Connellsville Joint Senior High School. She then went on to secure a position as teller in the Gallatin National Bank of Mount Pleasant. On Feb. 19, 1966, in nuptials held in the Indian Head Community Church, she was united in marriage with Vietnam War veteran Charles Leroy Keyser (June 10, 1939-2024), son of Robert C. and Susannah E. (Kerns) Keyser of Boswell, Somerset County. The Somerset Daily American reported that the bride "appeared in a street-length dress of white Chantilly lace over satin, designed with a fitted bodice, scoop neckline, long tapering sleeves and a bell-shaped skirt. The waistline was accentuated with a wide satin cumberbund, with a black bow. Her headdress was a white satin large rose, to which was attached a brief veil of nylon illusion." The marriage endured the highs and lows of a remarkable 57 years. Charles was a 1957 graduate of Jenner-Boswell Joint High School, had spent three years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and at the time of marriage worked in Somerset for General Telephone Company. The newlyweds made their first home in Berlin, Somerset County. Later they moved into the town of Somerset. The couple bore three known sons -- Brian Keyser and Brett Keyser as well as an an unnamed son who died at age 25 days on May 31, 1966, with burial in Beam's United Church of Christ Cemetery. For more than three decades, Charles was employed as a lineman by GTE. They were members of the Rockwood Alliance Church, where he gave of his time as an elder, Sunday School teacher and youth leader. Said an obituary, "Charles was honest and a man of integrity [who] put everyone before himself. He loved the Lord and his family deeply. Charles enjoyed hunting and reading, as well as spending time with his family." Sadly, at the age of 84, he passed away on Jan. 19, 2024. Burial took place in Park Lawn Cemetery in Jamestown, Mercer County, PA.

• Grandson Brian Keyser ( ? -living) wed Renee Morris ( ? -living), daughter of William and Helen Morris. The pair settled in Greenville, Mercer County, PA. They are the parents of Mikayla Keyser, Darian James "Bubs" Keyser and Cameron Keyser. 

  Great-grandson Darian James "Bubs" Keyser (2001-2020) was born on June 4, 2001 in Greenville, PA. He was born with a club foot, and it was not until undergoing corrective surgery at age five that he began to heal. He went on to serve as class president for the Jamestown Area High School and play baseball and basketball for the Muskies. Said an obituary, "He was an important part of two straight District 10 Single A Baseball championship teams and also a key player on the 2019 Single A District 10 Basketball champions. He recently reached one of his life goals, scoring 1,000 career points, becoming only the 5th Jamestown High School boys player to do so.... He was active at First Baptist Church of Greenville and their youth group, [and one] of the highlights for him was a summer mission trip to Vermont, helping at a homeless shelter." Grief cascaded over the family when, at age 18, Darian died on Feb. 17, 2020. Senior Pastor David Cox led the funeral rites, held at First Baptist Church. The remains were lowered into the sleep of the ages in Park Lawn Cemetery, Jamestown.

• Grandson Brett Keyser ( ? -living) was born in Somerset. He married Tanya Kelly ( ? -living), daughter of John E. and Dixie (Pyle) Kelly of Rockwood, Somerset County. Four children born into this union were Sierra Keyser, Cole Alan Keyser, Brooklyn Keyser and Aspen Keyser. They have held a membership in Meadville's Calvary Baptist Church. Brett is a licensed chiropractor for Conneaut Lake Chiropractic, using a "whole person approach" in the services he provides.

~ Daughter Pauline (Snyder) Brown ~

Daughter Pauline Snyder (1914 -2002) was born on March 29, 1913 in Turkeyfoot Township, Somerset County. 

She married David H. Brown (1908-1962), son of Charles and Minnie (Shoemaker) Brown. 

Their longtime home was in Scottdale, Westmoreland County, PA, at 709 Parker Avenue. 

They had two children, of whom she outlived both -- Charles David Brown and Dottie Dalessio.

Said the Greensburg Tribune-Review, Pauline "was a former employee of the former Scottdale Casket Co., where she worked as a seamstress. She then worked as a waitress at the Howard Johnson's in New Stanton and then at the former Blue Ridge Restaurant in Bullskin Township." Pauline was a longtime member of the Church of Christ in Scottdale. 

David was a machinist.

David died of heart failure in 1963, at age 54, on Sept. 18, 1962. He died in Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh's Oakland section, after an aortic aneurysm of 20 hours' duration.

Pauline outlived her husband by almost four decades. She maintained her residence in Scottdale during that time. She died at the age of 89 on April 9, 2002. Burial was in Green Ridge Memorial Park.

Son Charles David Brown (1933-1964) was born on May 30, 1933 in Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County. He married a distant double cousin, Betty Ann Craig (Aug. 22, 1940-2014), daughter of Frank K. and Rachel Goldiean "Goldie" (Crabtree) Craig of the family of James M. and Mary "Agnes" (Younkin) Crabtree. See the Craig biography for more.

Daughter Dorothy "Dottie" Brown (1943-1993) was born on May 25, 1943 in Scottdale. She married Louis E. Dalessio (Oct. 1, 1943-2024), son of Frederick and Margaret Mongelluzzo Dalessio. The Dalessios lived in Connellsville and became the parents of an only son, David Scott Dalessio. Dottie was “a partner/owner of the former 711 Auto Sales which later became Louis Motors and Total Image Mobile Electronics” in Connellsville, said the Connellsville Daily Courier. Sadly, Dottie died on June 2, 1993, in Connellsville's Highlands Hospital, at the age of 48. The Courier printed an obituary including her photograph. Louis outlived his wife by more than three decades and remained in Connellsville. For 20 years, he earned a living with United States Steel Corporation and maintained ownership of the family's Louis Motors. He also held a membership in the Sons and Daughters of Italy. With his health in decline at the age of 80, he was admitted to the Ruby Memorial Hospital at West Virginia University and died there on April 5, 2024. A private burial was held at Green Ridge Memorial Park.

• Grandson David Scott Dalessio (1969-2015) was born on Feb. 12, 1969 in Mount Pleasant. He never married and spent his life residing in Dunbar Township near Connellsville. The Connellsville Daily Courier reported that he "was owner/operator of Total Image Mobile Electronics (TIME Systems), and part owner of Louis Motors. Dave had a great passion for building large stereo systems in vehicles, and shared his passion helping fellow audiophiles achieve that high quality sound. Dave attended countless car audio competitions throughout Western, PA, where his skills and sound systems were awarded numerous trophies. Dave was quite the explorer and adventurer, having traveled throughout Europe, and snow skiing in Colorado, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming, Canada and Seven Springs. Dave also loved being on the water, especially when water-skiing, jet-skiing, and boating. Dave traveled SW, PA as a motivational speaker to those in need or seeking guidance. He was very sensitive to others’ needs and cherished the friendships he made along the way." Sadly, he died on Nov. 1, 2015 at the age of 46. Following a funeral service led by Pastor Robert Chambers, he was committed to the earth in Green Ridge Memorial Park. 

~ Daughter Kathryn (Snyder) Prinkey ~

Normalville Cemetery

Daughter Kathryn Snyder (1915-1989) was born in about 1915. 

She married a distant cousin, Kenneth W. Prinkey (1915-1980), grandson of John R. and Rachel Ruamy (Long) Pritts of Normalville. 

They resided in Normalville and produced two children -- Kenneth Dean Prinkey and James D. Prinkey.

Kathryn was church clerk and pianist for the Poplar Run Church of God.  She also was a Sunday School teacher and missionary band leader,” said the Connellsville Daily Courier.” 

Kenneth was a coal miner and steelworker early in his career, then became a truck driver for Mastowski and Fullem Lumber Company. He was a member of the Normalville Volunteer Fire Department and of the Sunday School of the Church of God of Prophecy Church.

Tragedy struck when Kenneth died while driving his car in October 1980. Reported the Courier, he “drove off the road after suffering an apparent heart attack and struck a tractor trailer parked in the Mastowski and Fullem Lumber Company driveway, near Normalville.” 

She survived her husband by nine years, and died in 1989. They are buried together at Normalville Cemetery.

Son James D. Prinkey (1944-2007) was born on Oct. 23, 1944 in Normalville. In about 1965, he married Elva Jean Brown ( ? - ? ). They made their residence in White, and had these children: Shawn Prinkey and Jeffrey Prinkey. James was employed for 17 years by McIntosh Steel Company and later worked for Leeper's Market. His last job was in Mt. Pleasant for Pritts Feed Mill, from which he retired. He was a longtime Sunday School secretary at the Poplar Run Church of God of Prophecy and a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. James died at the age of 62,on Jan. 5, 2007, at Excela Health Frick Hospital. Burial was in Ulery Cemetery following funeral services led by Rev. Larry Winemiller, Rev. Clyde Forbes and Rev. Colin Koch.

• Grandson Shawn Prinkey wed Carrie Hudock.

• Grandson Jeffrey Prinkey (?).

Son Kenneth Dean Prinkey married Nancy White. Their three daughters were twins Trudy Prinkey and Judy Prinkey, and Lisa Prinkey.

~ Son James Ernest Snyder ~

Son James Ernest Snyder (1916-1949) was born on March 4, 1916 in Bakersville, Somerset County, PA.

During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 21, 1942, and spent nearly all of his four years of service in Hawaii. After the war's end, he returned home and pursued his interest in timbering by securing work in a saw mill.

James married Irene Laymon (1924- ? ). They were eight years apart in age and lived in Clinton near Normalville. The couple is not known to have reproduced.

Tragically, James was afflicted with cancer of the testicles, and the disease spread to his lungs. He was admitted to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Aspinwall, near Pittsburgh, but the case was too far gone. He died 12 days later on May 29, 1949. Burial was in Normalville Cemetery, with Rev. F.J. Papiernik officiating.

~ Daughter Dollie (Snyder) Laymon ~

Daughter Dollie Snyder (1918-2011) was born on April 1, 1918. 

On Jan. 9, 1938, when she was 20 years of age, Dollie married Myers I. Laymon (1916-2004), son of John H. and Elizabeth (Myers) Laymon. Rev. Merrill L. Cadwell officiated. At the time of marriage, Dollie worked as a maid and Myers as a coal miner.

Their three children were Twila Balsley, Irvin W. "Buzz" Laymon and Sarah Frances Laymon. Sadly, daughter Sarah Frances died in infancy.

The Laymons resided in Normalville for most if not all of their married lives together and were employed at Laymon's Auto Sales of Normalville. Dollie also worked at Laymon's Store in Clinton, which they owned. In November 1987, a few months early, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and were pictured in the Connellsville Daily Courier. 

In 1994, Dollie read a local news article naming her grandfather who was to be honored among other Civil War soldiers at the annual Minerd-Miner Reunion. She called the reunion president (founder of this website) and said she and her sister would have liked to have come. When the reunion official sent her a booklet with her granddad's photo, the two of them talked again, with Dollie providing valuable memories which helped add stories to this biography.

Myers passed away on Sept. 28, 2004. 

Dollie lived for another seven years after her husband's death. She succumbed on June 24, 2011.

Daughter Twila Laymon ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). Circa 1964, she married James E. Balsley (1935-1995) of Normalville. James was a distant cousin on the Younkin side of the family, the son of Lester and Grace (Younkin) Balsley, grandson of John Scott and Emma Jane (Thomas) Younkin and great-grandson of John X. and Eliza Anne (Rose) Younkin of Connellsville. Twila and James bore one son, James E. Balsley Jr. Early in his working career, James was employed with Western Union Telegraph Company and the Betty Louise Coal Company of Smithfield, Fayette County. Later, he accepted a job with Purco Coal Company of Monongahela, Washington County, PA, and for 20 years remained there for the rest of his life. James died in Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital on Aug. 14, 1995, at the age of 60. His remains were brought back to Normalville for burial.

• Grandson James E. Balsley Jr. ( ? - ? )

Son Irvin W. "Buzz" Laymon (1945-2006) was born on Dec. 13, 1945 in Clinton. He spent his life in Normalville and married Kathryn F. Keslar (Sept. 28, 1944-2020), daughter of Stewart and Mary (Umble) Keslar and a native of Connellsville. They produced one daughter, Pamela Laymon-Smith. Irvin and Kathryn also were very fond of Johnny Knopsnider whom they loved as their own son. Said the Daily Courier: "He worked as a self-employed mechanic.... He was a member of the Trent-Bakersville-Lavansville Rod & Gun Club and loved the outdoors. He would spend many fulfilling hours hunting, fishing, coon hunting and riding horses. Among all his outdoor activities, the one that he looked forward to the most was spending time with his faithful pet dogs." Kathryn also earned income through her work at Connellsville Sportswear and the Volkswagen plant in New Stanton. That was followed by a shift into health care, where she was emplyed as a certified nursing assistant at Hilltop Manor Nursing Home in nearby Donegal and then at Highlands Hospital in Connellsville as a nurse's aide. She belonged to the Highlands Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and the Red Hats group and was a member of the Popular Run Church of God of Prophecy and the Greenwood Heights Church of God. Sadly, Buzz died on Aug. 20, 2006, at the age of 60. Kathryn survived her spouse by 14 years and made her home in Normalville. As her health went into decline, she was admitted to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh and succumbed there on Sept. 20, 2020, just two days shy of her 76th birthday. An obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier. Interment of the remains was in the Dan Snyder Cemetery, where generations of Laymon/Enos ancestors sleep for all time.

• Granddaughter Pamela Laymon ( ? -living) was born in (?). She married James Smith ( ? -living). The couple has made a home in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County and are the parents of Ariel Laymon-Smith, Joseph Laymon-Smith, Christopher Laymon-Smith and Ava Laymon-Smith.

~ Daughter Erma (Snyder) Laymon McCue ~

Daughter Erma Snyder (1919-2015) was born on Dec. 11, 1919. 

At the age of 19, on Dec. 10, 1938, Erma wed 31-year-old Otha B. Laymon (1907-1967), son of John H. and Elizabeth (Myers) Laymon of Saltlick Township. There was a difference of 14 years in their respective ages. Rev. Merrill L. Caldwell led the nuptials ceremony.

Their three children were Gerald Thomas "Jerry" Laymon, Wendell Laymon and Brenda Laymon.

In about 1953, the Laymons relocated to Painesville, Lake County, OH. There, they remained for the next 14 years until separated by death.

Otha passed away in Painesville in February 1967, at the age of 60. Funeral services were held there. An obituary was printed in the Connellsville Daily Courier.

Erma outlived him by nearly half a century. She lived in Fairport Harbor at one time and belonged to the East Heisley Church of God. She married again to widower James A. McCue (May 27, 2017-2012), a native of Gary, IN and a retiree from Diamond Shamrock in Fairport Harbor. They were together for four years until his death on Feb. 12, 2012.

Her final home was in Painesville.

The angel of death cleaved her away at age 96 on April 15, 2016, as a patient in West Medical Center in Willoughby. Burial was in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland, OH. 

Son Gerald Thomas "Jerry" Laymon (1939-2023) was born on March 18, 1939 in Normalville. He moved to Ohio with his parents and was a 1957 graduate of Riverside High School in Painesville. Gerald was joined in wedlock with Karen ( ? - ? ). Their union endured the ebbs and flows of an extraordinary 65 years. Two children of this marriage were Lori Reidy and Thomas Laymon. Gerald's first job was with Kroger's in Painesville, where he managed the meat department and spent 16 years. Then in 1973, they pulled up stakes and migrated to Texas, to launch a home remodeling business with his brother, Laymon Construction, in San Antonio. Said an obituary, "Together, they built and remodeled many homes throughout the San Antonio area... Jerry had a passion for flying and obtained his pilot license in 1964. He also loved spending time in his swimming pool with his grandchildren, watching football and Sunday dinners with his family. He was a faithful servant of God as a member of Cornerstone Church and served as an usher there for 31 years." Poor health forced him to retire in 1991. Death spirited him away at the age of 84, in San Antonio, on Oct. 28, 2023.

• Granddaughter Lori Laymon tied the knot with (?) Reidy. She may reside in San Antonio, TX.

• Grandson Thomas Laymon ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with Joann.

Son Wendell Laymon ( ? - ? ) was deceased by 2016.

Daughter Brenda Laymon (1944-1992) was born on May 3, 1944. She married Earl Lee Hockman (April 22, 1940-2018), a native of Cumberland, MD and the son of Harold and Wilda (Cook) Hockman. They dwelled in the Painesville area. Together, they bore a family of three -- Dane Hockman, Kimberly Dobrowski and Stacy Hockman. Earl was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War as an airplane mechanic. He then secured employment by Lubrizol Corporation and worked there for more than three decades. Sadly, Brenda died on July 30, 1992. Her remains were laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery in town. Earl endured for another 26 years and retired from Lubrizol in 1995. During those years, he was a companion of Jane Burt. He died at the age of 78 on May 31, 2018. Said an obituary in the News-Herald, he "was a kind and generous man, especially when it came to his children. 

• Grandson Dane Hockman married Deborah Phillips ( ? -living), daughter of Richard W. Phillips of Painesville. Circa 2014, the pair made a homeplace in Leroy Township. Evidence suggests that he is employed as an application engineer with Concentric Corporation in Painesville.

• Granddaughter Kimberly Hockman wed Stanley Dobrowski.

• Grandchild Stacy Hockman ( ? - ? )