John A. "Jack" Snyder, 90, of Valencia, formerly of Monessen, died Thursday May 5, 2016. He was born in Donora on May 25, 1925 the son of the late Alec and Eva (Gush) Snyder. John was a 1942 graduate of Monessen High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943 and received his boot camp training at Parris Island, SC. His first assignment was for one year at Iona Island, NY for guard duty at the Naval Ammunition Depot on the Hudson River. In August 1944, he was shipped over seas and joined G Co., 2 Bn., 24th Regiment, 4th Marine Division on Maui, T.H. On February 19, 1945, the division landed in Iwo Jima and he was in combat until March 16, 1945 when the 4th MADIV area was secured. After the battle, he returned to Maui and later was a rotated back to the states and discharged in March of 1946. For his service in WWII, he was awarded the following ribbons and medals: Presidential Unit Citation w/star, Asiatic Pacific ribbon w/star and medal, American Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Combat Action Ribbon. In 1947, at the age of 21, he was elected Commander of the Thomas McKee Post #28, American Legion. As a Marine Reservist, he was recalled to active duty in November 1950, was shipped to Camp Lejeune, NC and helped form the Second Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion at Stone Bay. After one year of state side duty, during the Korean War, he was released from active duty on Dec. 8, 1951. He married Eleanore Bialousz in 1950 and celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary on Sept. 9, 2010. His wife Eleanore passed away on January 3, 2011. They had four children who survive; Tim Snyder and fiance' Mary E. Amato of New York, NY, Gwenn (John) Karr of Gibsonia, Kathy Snyder of Bath, PA, Keith Snyder of Valencia. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Lydia and Courtney Snyder, Kaitlyn and John Karr Jr., three sisters, Sister Mary Snyder, OSF of Millvale, Sister Grace Snyder of Millvale, Eva (Steve) Slavonia of Monessen, brother-in-law, Robert Bialousz of Nashua, NH; sister-in-law, Mary Benyak Snyder of Monessen, and by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother William Snyder. John was a member of St. Leonard Church and Epiphany of Our Lord Church while in Monessen, and sang in their respective choirs for a combined total of sixty-five years. He was most recently a member of St. Kilian Parish in Mars. John held memberships in the Thomas McKee Post #28 in Monessen for 71 years, the Mon Valley Leatherneck Association for 39 years, a life member of the MARDIV Assocation of WW II, and a Charter Member of the Mon Valley Barbershop Chorus, SPEBSQSA, from 1970 to 2000. John was elected Westmoreland County Commander of the American Legion in 1962. As an officer of Post #28, he was appointed Post Adjutant in 1956 and held that office for 49 years until he resigned in 2007. Friends will be received on Monday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services, 441 Reed Avenue, Monessen. Services will be held on Tuesday beginning with a Blessing service at 9:30 am, followed by a 10:00 am Funeral Mass with Fr. Michael J. Crookston officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Hyacinth's Cemetery, Monessen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (www.mcsf.org), or the charity of the donor's choosing. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.