Orvil J. Snyder, Sr.
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Orvil J. Snyder, Sr.
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Orvil J. Snyder, Sr., 85, of Elderton, PA, known affectionately as "OJ' by friends and associates, passed away Thursday, December 14, 2017, at his residence.

He was born March 7, 1932 in Hacker Valley, West Virginia, the son of Orvil Edward Snyder and Ruth (Tinder) Snyder. OJ spent his early childhood, beginning school, in Pickens WV until the family relocated to the Buckhannon area.

At the beginning of the Korean Conflict, OJ left Buckhannon-Upshur High School to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served honorably in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War and was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 5 Bronze Campaign Stars.

After the Army, OJ attended West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon WV where he met and married Barbara R. (Ours) Snyder on December 21, 1952. Upon receiving his Bachelors of Arts in History from Wesleyan in 1957, OJ and Barbara moved with their three sons to Wardensville, WV where OJ taught Business, Civics, History, and Math at Wardensville High from 1958-1962.

In 1962 the Snyder family returned to Buckhannon where OJ joined Basin Surveys Incorporated, a start-up oil and gas field services company. Starting as a "Rigger" on the wireline survey trucks, OJ ultimately became Basin Survey's Sales Manager helping to grow the company into a six state operation.

In 1983 he left Basin Surveys, Inc. which had been sold to NL Industries in Houston TX. OJ and Barbara moved to Indiana PA to launch his own oil and gas services business and was an owner and partner of Titan Wireline Service in Elderton until his retirement in 1997.

Throughout his life OJ was an active and devoted supporter of his church, most recently as a member of the Elderton Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. Lodge #1736, in Buckhannon, WV; the Elderton Lions Club and Seneca Masonic Lodge #805. Up until a few weeks before his death OJ served as a volunteer at the Elderton senior center just a short walk from his residence.

Orvil was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife, Barbara R. (Ours) Snyder, who died January 27, 2016; son, Scott Wayne Snyder; and his youngest brother, James R. Snyder.

He will be remembered with love by his sons, Richard Lynn Snyder and wife, Faye of Leonardtown, MD, James Allen Snyder and wife, Marsha of Bridgeport, WV, Russell Blaine Snyder of Martinsburg, WV, and Orvil J. Snyder, II and wife, Nancy of King of Prussia; three grandchildren, Brice Richard Snyder and wife, Nicole of Saratoga Springs, NY, Sara Snyder of Innwood, WV, and David Scott Snyder of Wilmington, NC; great-granddaughter, Lily Page Snyder; and a brother, Richard P. Snyder and wife, Patricia of Charlotte, NC.

The family will receive friends from 2-6 PM on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Clark Chapel of the Bauer Funeral Home, 238 S. Main St., Elderton, PA. Visitation will conclude with a short masonic memorial service at 6PM.

Additional visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at the Elderton Presbyterian Church, 115 N. Main St., Elderton, PA, with the Rev. Edward Gray officiating.

Burial will be in Elderton Cemetery, Elderton, PA immediately following.

Donations in lieu of Flowers may be made to the Elderton Presbyterian Church, 115 North Main Street, Elderton PA 15736. Church Phone: 724-354-3117.


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Orvil J. Snyder, Sr.