Norma L. (Stitzlein) Snyder, 98, formerly of Loudonville, Ohio died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 in Delaware, Ohio, as her family gathered around her bed singing the hymn “Softly and Tenderly.”

Norma was born Feb. 16, 1927, the youngest of the nine children of Ed and Ada (Strang) Stitzlein. She was raised on the family farm a few miles northwest of Loudonville with siblings Bessie Hoyer, Thelma Portz, Walter, Dorothy Snyder, Carl, Clovis, Wava Armstrong, and Bob Stitzlein.

During World War II, Norma attended Loudonville High School and worked an evening shift at the Flxible factory as a “Rosie the Riveter,” bucking rivets on airplane fuselages. She graduated in 1944. When Loudonville native Robert Snyder returned from Army service in the Philippines in early 1946, his older brother Ross, who was dating Norma’s sister Dorothy, asked a delighted Robert on a double date with Norma to a dance. Robert and Norma soon became inseparable and were married Oct. 12, 1946. The happy marriage lasted for over 50 years, until Robert’s death in July, 1997. They had five children: Kathi, Connie, Mike, Crystal, and Jon.

Norma earned her cosmetology license in 1946 and worked a short time as a beautician. While raising her children, she also worked in the office for Robert and Ross’ Loudonville Construction and Snyder Brothers (later Modern Home Supply) businesses.

Norma was a lifelong and active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Loudonville. She was a volunteer for the Loudonville Public Library and Mohican Historical Society. Her keen memory of the past and photo collections were the impetus for family histories compiled by her son Jon into multiple books, now housed at the Loudonville Public Library. Norma was artistically creative. She was a charter member of the Mohican Quilters and won numerous Best of Show ribbons at the Loudonville Fair. Norma also served as Ashland County Republican Party chairwoman. She received the Ashland County Women of Achievement Award in 2009.

After Robert’s death, Norma maintained an active life in Loudonville, and it seemed everyone in Loudonville knew, loved and respected her. Her gracious ways were magnetic. In her later years, she could be found at the quilt exhibit at the Loudonville Fair where there was often a line of people waiting to see her for a chat and a hug. Norma was a good listener with a loving touch, and cared about everyone she encountered.

When she decided it was time to move to Willow Brook Christian Village in Delaware, Ohio, and away from her beloved Loudonville in 2019, she did so with grace, determined that she was going to be happy. She quickly made many new friends and became a favorite of the Willow Brook staff.

Norma modeled how to live a good, long life of almost 99 years, and God blessed her greatly. She had a strong Christian faith and was fond of saying “I know Who is in charge.” She was a rock, always there for the people she loved and for her community, steady, strong, polite and a “gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:4).

Norma is survived by her five children, 13 of her 14 grandchildren (plus their spouses) and 27 great-grandchildren, who were very blessed to have had so many years of her love and wisdom to enjoy. She is also survived by her daughters-in-law Claudia Snyder (Mike) and Lynn Snyder (Jon) and sons-in-law Mike Paullin (Kathi) and Joel Blight (Crystal), who were precious to her. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, granddaughter Sara Paullin Casto, daughter-in-law Vonnie Snyder (Mike), granddaughter-in-law Rebecca Newcomer, and her parents and siblings.

Calling hours will take place on Friday, Feb. 6 from 4-7 pm at Snyder Funeral Home, Lindsey Chapel, 123 N. Market St. in Loudonville. Funeral service will take place at 11 am on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Zion Lutheran Church, 222 E. Main St. in Loudonville. Family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service.

Donations may be made to the Willow Brook Village (Centrum Activities Fund), 100 Willow Brook Way S., Delaware OH 43015, or the Zion Lutheran Church (Mina Powell Scholarship Fund). The family would like to thank the staff of Willow Brook and Tranquility Hospice for their heartfelt care of our mother, and for the support of family and friends. God bless you all.

Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home, Lindsey Chapel

Website: https://www.snyderfuneralhomes.com/contact-us/loudonville-ohio-lindsey-chapel