Ronald James (Jim) Snyder

Ronald James (Jim) Snyder, age 88, of Camp Hill, passed peacefully on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Jim was born in Elizabethtown, PA on July 14, 1936, the youngest son of the late Henry K. and Margaret Susan (Hess) Snyder.

In 1947, Jim’s parents, Henry and Margaret, purchased a farm on what is now Warm Springs Road in Spring Township, Perry County, and “Echo Valley Ranch” became their home. Jim and his brother Bob enjoyed living in the country and had many memorable adventures in the valley. Later as an adult, Jim would acquire a few acres of the family property and establish his cherished cabin, “Holsum Camp”. He loved to hunt and fish with family and friends in Sherman’s Valley as well as beyond. His hunting trip to Alaska was a highlight.

Jim graduated from Green Park Union High School and enlisted in the Air Force in 1954. After basic, Jim completed his training as a radio operator at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi and was assigned to the 27th Air Refueling Squadron at Bergstorm Air Force Base in Austin Texas, serving as a radio operator on a Strategic Air Command KB-29 tanker plane performing air to air refueling operations. He would also be promoted to the rank of Airman Second Class. Jim was proud of his military service.

As a young handsome Airman, while in Philadelphia on leave, Jim visited a bright vivacious red headed Roxborough Memorial Hospital nursing student from Loysville, Sondra (Sandy) Ziegler, and a romance blossomed into a marriage in 1959 that lasted over 65 years until her death last August. Together they raised three daughters.

His family was important to Jim. Family vacations, first tent camping and later with a little Shasta trailer, covered every state east of the Mississippi River and several west as well. He was supportive of his daughters in all their endeavors and was the best “Pappy” one could ask for to his grandchildren. He helped to make memories to last a lifetime, especially with time spent together at the family cabin.

Jim is survived by his daughters: Cathay Snyder of Mechanicsburg, Cheryl Keeney and husband, David of Mechanicsburg, Rhonda Wood and husband Jeffrey of Boiling Springs; grandchildren: Rick Batley (Susan Bradley), Corey Keeney (Haley Smith), Peter Watson, Daniel and Jaydenn Wood, and great-grandchildren: Henry and Aidan Batley; his niece, Delores (Snyder) Steigleman and his nephew, Larry Snyder. He was predeceased by his wife, Sandy (Ziegler) Snyder, granddaughter, Lauren Marie Keeney, his parents, his two brothers, Ken Snyder and Robert Snyder, and nephew, Rich (Rick) Snyder.

Jim retired as a sales supervisor from Butter Krust Baking Company (Holsum bread), Sunbury. He was a member of the American Legion Post #109, Mechanicsburg, the Mechanicsburg Club, and Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of Jim’s life will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2:00 PM at his camp. Camp attire (Jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts) is appropriate and encouraged. The family will hold a private internment at St. Peter's Cemetery, Landisburg at a later date.  

Jim’s family is grateful to the staff of The Gardens at Camp Hill—the many nurses, aides, and therapists—for the love shown and the care given to him while residing there these past two years.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 or Alzheimer’s Association (Greater Pennsylvania Chapter), 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Jim’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read Jim’s full obituary view his memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.