Obituary of Shirley H. Snyder

Shirley H. Snyder, 86, of State College, formerly of York, died on March 14, 2015 at the Atrium at the Village at Penn State. Born December 16, 1928, in Newville, she was the daughter of Oscar Lynn and Anna Cohick Heishman. She married her high school sweetheart, Creigh Snyder, on July 25, 1948, who survives at home. Shirley is also survived by her daughter, Cinda Kostyak and husband, John, of State College; two grandchildren, John Creigh Kostyak and his wife, Megan Enis Kostyak, and Kathryn Kostyak Eisenhuth and her husband, Scott; four great-grandchildren, Ellie and Jack Kostyak, and Ethan and Max Eisenhuth; and brother, Lynn Heishman of Terra Vista, AZ. In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her sister, Anna Katherine Koert. Shirley was a 1946 graduate of Carlisle High School. She sang and acted in every school musical, play and operetta and was a member of the cheerleading squad. She took voice lessons at the Hamilton School of Music, in Philadelphia, on scholarship and Wilson College, in Chambersburg. Her love of music and theatre continued throughout her life. She participated in amateur shows and charity functions, sang solos in the church choir, and most recently, acted in radio plays at the Village at Penn State. Shirley was also remarkable medically. Diagnosed with Type I Diabetes Mellitus at age 16, she was given a life expectancy of 30 years. Through determination and immaculate self-care, she became one of the oldest Type I Diabetes survivors in the country. She was a member of State College Presbyterian Church and the Nittany Lion Club. Shirley was a PSU season ticket holder for both football and Lady Lion basketball. Prior to moving to State College, she was a volunteer for York Hospital for over 20 years. She enjoyed playing bridge, watching her grandchildren’s sports activities during their high school years, and doing counted cross-stitch. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at State College Presbyterian Church, 132 West Beaver Avenue, State College, with the Reverend Dean Lindsey officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., one hour prior to the service at the church. A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 in Westminster Cemetery, 1159 Newville Rd, Carlisle, PA 17013. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, 100 West Station Square Drive Suite 1900 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219 or to the American Breast Cancer Foundation, 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 480 Columbia, Maryland 21044, in memory of Shirley H. Snyder. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com