Sioux City - Elmer Sneller, 68, of Sioux City passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital after being stricken at his home.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Sunnybrook Community Church, with the Rev. Jeff Moes officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a remembrance service at 7:15 p.m., at the church. The Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home is handling the arrangements
Elmer was born on Jan. 27, 1944, in Doon, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa, in 1962.
He married his high school sweetheart, Nelva (June) Bomgaars on Dec. 5, 1962, in Hull, Iowa. The family moved to Sioux City in 1968. Elmer worked as an electrician for Casler Electric and then retired from Thompson Electric. He was an electrician for 43 years and retired in 2006.
He was a member of IBEW local 231. Elmer was a wonderful Christian man; family and his church were the most important parts of Elmer's life. He was so proud of his family. He traveled often with his wife and family and was a big fan of the Sioux City Explorers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Most people who knew him felt like he was a father or grandfather figure to them. He was so knowledgeable about "a little bit of everything." He was a very active member of the Sunnybrook Community Church, formerly the Morningside Reformed Church. He was serving on the church's building committee at the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, June Sneller of Sergeant Bluff; four daughters, Star and Corey King of Sergeant Bluff, Sheri and Blaine Jones of Mc Cook Lake, Sheila and Bill Willson of Sioux City, and Stacy and Paul Jensen of Sergeant Bluff; one son, Dr. Scott and Colleen Sneller of Sioux City; 12 grandchildren, J.C. and Josh King, Theodore and Linsay Jones, Tanner Jones, Beau and Jordan Henry, Joseph Willson, Madison, Caleb, Lexi, Elle and Scout Sneller; eight great-grandchildren; and his mother-in-law, Gerdena Bomgaars Sikma of Sioux Center, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry and Louis; sisters-in-law, Marie and Glenda; and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elmer’s name to the Sunnybrook Community Church Building Fund.