Elma Mary Ann (Gilbert) Snider, 84, of Imler received her promotion to heaven on Jan. 13, 2010. She was born July 26, 1925 in Elkhart, Ind., the daughter of Thomas Bruce and Elma (Doehring) Gilbert. She was preceded in death by her husband, of 55 years, Obie Snider; her parents; her brother, Brucie, in 1937; her loving stepmother, Lena (Spessard) Gilbert; and a granddaughter, Elma Elizabeth Harper.
She is survived by four children, Karyl Lynn, wife of David Harper, Bruce Gilbert, husband of Lori (Kauffman) Snider, Jo Nell Snider, Ross Ann, wife of Jim Clark; ten grandchildren, who affectionately knew her as "Honey", Olivia, wife of Wally Sedlock, Ross Snider, husband of Brooke Baughman, Greta Snider, Anne Harper, Nora, wife of Aaron Corle, Johncie Clark, Obie Clark, Faith, wife of Jason Umbleby, Andrea Clark, Rachel Snider; and three great-granddaughters, Maggie Jo Sedlock, Ava Nicole Snider and Harper Grace Sedlock.
She graduated from Wheaton College in 1947, and with her husband founded Singing Brook Farms in 1950 serving on committees with the PA and Natl. Holstein Association and had a dairy store on the farm. She taught phys-ed in the newly formed Chestnut Ridge School District. In the 1950's she and her husband began a Bible Study in their home which in 1960 became the East Freedom Chapel where she was the pianist. They also formed Young Life Clubs in Altoona. She served on the boards of Home Nursing Agency and Truth and Praise Publishers. She was a counselor for Life's Key Prison Ministry and helped found the Windber Hospice. She held a ladies' Bible Study in her home for the past 37 years. She enjoyed supporting her husband on the Penn State Board of Trustees and received the Honorary Alumna Award in 1993. In February 1994, she received the gift of a liver transplant, and her family would like to thank all of those who are organ donors for the wonderful bonus of almost 16 years spent with our mother and grandmother because of this precious gift. Her response when asked how she felt after her transplant was, "I feel great and grateful!"
Friends will be received at the East Freedom Chapel, 242 Mt. Pleasant St., East Freedom, PA 16637, on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, from 3-8 p.m. Funeral will be Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, at 11 a.m. also at the East Freedom Chapel with David Harper and Dr. Dan Smith officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by J. Edward Blackburn Funeral Home, Alum Bank. Contributions in her memory may be sent to East Freedom Chapel, P.O. Box 50, East Freedom, PA 16637 for distribution to her favorite charities.