Gaynel S. Sneider

Gaynel Sue Sneider (Henderson), age 81, passed away on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Gaynel was born in Big Rapids, Michigan on February 18, 1943, to Chester D. Henderson and Wilma (Huff/Bongard) Henderson.

She was raised in Barryton, MI, where she graduated from high school in 1961. In 1962, she married Harold Finney, and they had two daughters, Shellie and Valerie, whom they raised in Mason, MI. Gaynel served as president of many organizations in Mason including the Welcome Wagon and the Coventry Players, as well as various positions in the Mason United Methodist Church. She was an accomplished professional seamstress and also worked for 20 years at MSU for Extension and the MSU Alumni Association. In 1990 she married Bruce Sneider and they enjoyed MSU sports, traveling on their motorcycle, and the neighborhood jellybean children. They also participated in the Twinges in the Hinges class at the YMCA pool, where Gaynel also enjoyed leading.

Gaynel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bruce in 2011, a brother Jack Henderson in 1960, and a sister Ellen (Henderson) Barth in 2016.

She is survived by two daughters, Shellie Finney and Valerie Finney both in the Lansing area.  She also had the pleasure of being called “mom” by the children of Bruce: Kathleen Morrison of Mecosta, MI, Robert (Charlotte) of Zephyrhills, FL, Laurie Sneider of Lansing, MI, and Tamara (William) Fate of Williamston, MI. She is also survived by several grandchildren, including Jennifer Lindeman of Lansing whom she and Bruce adopted and had the joy of raising, plus several great-grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by her brothers Sherrill Bongard of Eagle, MI, Curtis Henderson of Haslett, MI, Vaughn (Deb) Henderson of Eagle, MI, brother-in-law Warren Barth of McGraw, NY. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Alice (Tom) Bouck of Elmira, MI, Janet Brown of Ashland, OR, Jane Sneider of Westport, CT, and Mary Sneider of Wyoming, MI.

There will be no services at this time. Those desiring may make contributions in Gaynel’s memory to the Holt Community Food Bank, P.O. Box 577, Holt MI  48842.