WABASH - Theda G. Snider Dawes, 75, of rural LaFontaine, died at 4:30 p.m. June 5, 2010, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident.
She was born Nov. 7, 1934, in New Paris, to Daniel and Treva Anglemyer Snider. On Aug. 21, 1955, at Union Chapel Church of the Brethren, Nappanee, she married Robert Dawes, who survives.
She graduated from New Paris High School in 1952, and Manchester College in 1956. She taught one year at Dayton, Ohio, public schools; one year at Southwood High School, rural Wabash County; and 25 years at Heartland Career Center, Wabash.
Her life was a blessing to all who knew her. She was a member of Wabash Friends Church, where she had previously served on the Ministry and Oversight Committee, the Little Friends Day Care Board, played the organ and piano for services and worked each month for MOPS, where she absolutely loved building relationships with children. She loved singing in the choir. She rarely missed an activity or sporting event in which her grandchildren were involved. In addition, she belonged to the Liberty Bells Home Economics Club, the Wabash Garden Club and the Woman's Clubhouse.
Her greatest desire was to serve her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as was very evident to all who knew and loved her.
Along with her family and friends, she loved making quilts and had recently finished making quilts for each of her 11 grandchildren. Her favorite quilt, however, was the Dawes family quilt, complete with the panels representing her marriage and each of her children and grandchildren.
Also surviving are four children: Brent (and spouse Susan) Dawes, Wabash; Brian (and spouse Donna) Dawes, Leesburg; Cindi (and spouse Mark) Lantz, Milford; and Lori (and spouse Steve) Heath, LaFontaine; a sister, Thyra Keiser, Nappanee; a brother, Dana (and spouse Nelda) Snider, Middlebury; a sister-in-law, Nancy (and spouse Doug) Graham, New Paris; brother- and sister-in-law, Ralph and Janice Dawes, LaFontaine; and 11 grandchildren: Joshua Dawes, Baton Rouge, La.; Kyle Lantz, Greystones, Ireland; Jenny (and spouse Jody) Tyner and Amy Dawes, all of Wabash; Kory (and spouse Alison) Lantz, South Bend; Heather and Jordan Dawes, both of Leesburg; Kalyn Lantz, Milford; and Haley, Taylor and Carson Heath, all of LaFontaine. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Larry Snider.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Wabash Friends Church, 3563 S. Ind. 13 with David Phillips officiating. Burial will be in Friends Cemetery, Wabash.
Calling is from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Ave., Wabash, and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church.
*****
Memorials may be made to Wabash Friends Children's Ministries or Fellowship of Christian Athletes Scholarship Fund through the Community Foundation of Wabash County.
Condolences may be sent via www.grandstaff-hentgen.com
