Obituaries

Nelson A. Snowden

February 4th, 1936 – November 10th, 2019

Nelson Angell Snowden, 83, of Vermont passed away at 7:38 am on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at the McDonough District Hospital Emergency Room. He was born on February 4, 1936, in Eldorado Township, the son of Robert and Lillian (Angell) Snowden. He married Donna Dean on August 20, 1960, in Littleton. She survives.

Also surviving are his 3 sons Michael of Macomb, Anthony (and Cathy) of Nolensville, Tn., and Todd (and Cindy) of Havana; grandchildren Brian (and Angel), Aaron (and Ariel), Reece, Lily, Raney and Madison, and great-grandchildren Jordan, Ambriana and Jack. He leaves behind brothers Don of Industry, Howard of Quincy, and Phil of Minneapolis, and one sister, Mary Ann Bartlett of Quincy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 4 brothers Lyle, Bob, Paul, and Dick Snowden.

Nelson graduated from Western Illinois University in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in social studies. He was a U. S. Army veteran. He taught at V.I.T. Unit District 2 until his retirement and then taught another ten years part time at Spoon River Academy. Mr. Snowden was a long-time football coach at V.I.T. and a member of the Illinois Football Coaches Hall of Fame; the football field at V.I.T. was named Nelson Snowden Field in 2015.

Nelson also had his real estate license and worked part time at Purdum Bucher Gray. During the summers he spent 10 years as a company inspector for PAG and then 18 summers as a Pioneer contractor.

Nelson served on the V.I.T. School Board, the Vermont Village Trustees, the Vermont Fire Department Trustees, and the Sheriff’s Merit Commission in Fulton County.

Nelson was an avid sports fan, gardener, and traveler; his best memories were of times spent with his family and all of the young people he worked with over the years. He was a member of the Vermont Christian Church.

Services will be held at 10 am on Friday, November 15, 2019 at the Vermont Christian Church. A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2019 from 5 to 7 pm at the church. Interment will be in the Vermont Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Vermont Christian Church and South Fulton Athletics.

Condolences

November 11th, 2019

Donna and family you are in our thoughts and prayers. Glenn

November 11th, 2019

Sorry for your loss Mike .

Doug Nelson

November 11th, 2019

Donna and family, you have our deepest sympathy. He was a great teacher, neighbor, and friend to us. He will be greatly missed. Chuck and Melinda Barclay

November 11th, 2019

Mike,
Sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. In Christian Love.
Stan Prentice

November 11th, 2019

Donna and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. My girls always said he was one. Of their favorite teachers, even Norman remembered being in his class. May he be remembered and respected for all time.
With sincere sorrow,
Norman and Rita Wise

November 11th, 2019

Sorry for your loss.Prayers for the family.Bill and Sharon Ackley.

November 11th, 2019

We are so sad to hear this. We have you all in our prayers!
L. M. Hollenback

November 11th, 2019

I'm so sorry to read about Mr. Snowden's passing. He was an all round great guy & teacher. My sincerest sympathy. Debbie Douglas

November 11th, 2019

So very sorry to hear of Mr.Snowdens passing he was an awesome teacher and great to work for in the summer detasseling corn and walking beans he will be missed by many. Prayers to the family Hiemi Elson

November 11th, 2019

So sorry for your families loss. Prayers for the family. BJ and Paula Kinne

November 11th, 2019

Mrs. Snowden and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Coach Snowden's passing. I wasn't the best player but I enjoyed football and I had a lot of respect for Coach. Him and VIT Hornet football bring back great memories for me. May God wrap his loving arms around your entire family at this most difficult time.

November 11th, 2019

Thinking of you Aunt Donna and boys. He was a great man! Will miss Uncle Nelson so much. - Suzy Snowden

November 11th, 2019

My sympathy to all the Snowden family.. Nelson was an all around nice guy and teacher.. Prayers sent... Vicky Ackley

November 11th, 2019

So very sorry for your loss, Mr.Snowden was a great teacher many memories of him in school. He will be miss by many. Prayers for the family. Ellen Hammond

November 11th, 2019

Deepest condolences to everyone in the Snowden family.

November 11th, 2019

Prayers for your family from the Carole Derry family.

November 11th, 2019

So sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Snowden. He was a fantastic coach as well as a teacher. He will missed by so many. Hugs and prayers to the family during this difficult time. Rex and Sue Fouts

November 11th, 2019

Sorry for your loss, prayers for the family, lived him as my basketball coach

November 11th, 2019

Keeping all of you in thoughts and prayers. Brad and Ronda Kluthe

November 11th, 2019

I'm so sorry to hear of Nelson's passing. He was a great teacher that touched the life's of so many people including me. He will sincerely be missed. Pat Hubbartt

November 11th, 2019

Dianne and I are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers asking for comfort and peace.

November 11th, 2019

Mardeen and I are very sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family of a respected man and role model.

November 11th, 2019

Our thoughts and prayers to the Snowden family. We have fond memories of Mr. Snowden as a Teacher, Coach and great man. Ronnie and Betsy Mayall

November 11th, 2019

So sorry for you and your family's loss, Donna...praying God's peace and comfort to you all...LaRita Maloney

November 11th, 2019

Our deepest condolences to the Snowden family... We have lots of long time friend memories growing up with the Snowden family. Your dad never knew a stranger and always have a smile whenever we would meet. Our hearts are sadden. Thanks Nelson for all the great memories! You touched many lives. Jon & Ketra Branson & family

November 11th, 2019

Soo sorry for your loss. My prayers go out for you and your family. Mary Bruketta-Waller

November 11th, 2019

Our condolences to the Snowden family. Mr. Snowden was a great educator and touched so many lives. He will be missed by many. Steve and Jo Branson and family.

November 11th, 2019

So sorry to hear of Nelson's passing. Our prayers and condolences to all your family. He was a well loved teacher and coach. Mike and Linda Blemler

November 12th, 2019

I’m so sorry to hear about Mr. Snowden’s passing. I’ll keep all of you in my prayers. Bobette (Boggs) Massaglia

November 12th, 2019

So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Snowden, Donna and Family! He was a great teacher! Our thoughts and prayers to All of His Family!! 🙏🙏. Peg (Dutton) Davis and my Husband, Mike Davis...

November 12th, 2019

Sorry, for your loss. Prayers to the family.
Amanda Jockisch and family

November 12th, 2019

Donna, please accept my sincere sympathy. Will be thinking of you and your family. Hugs! Susan Acker

November 12th, 2019

So sorry to hear of Nelson's passing. He will be missed by many🧡.

November 12th, 2019

Donna and Family, so usorry for your loss. He was a very nice man and teacher

November 12th, 2019

I'm sorry to hear about Coach Snowden's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the Snowden family. Steven (Fawcett) Shutter

November 12th, 2019

One of my favorite teachers. Great person. So sorry and thinking of his family. Mindy Bean) Larsen

November 12th, 2019

We are so sorry for your loss, he was a great teacher and leader. Sandy and Les Belville

November 12th, 2019

I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a great Teacher and Coach

November 12th, 2019

😭 OMGoodness I SO loved Mr. Snowden. Definitely on of my favorite teachers. But he wasn’t just a teacher, he was also a football coach, a detasseling boss, and a remarkable and dedicated man, husband, etc. And I so honor him. He came to my dad’s Celebration of Life service in 2015, and blessed us with a love offering. My dad was a bus driver and drove the detasseling bus and also for many of the football away games. Love his wife Donna also. My heart is saddened and touched as I recall these things. Prayers to the family. “God may You comfort them and give them peace and strength in the midst of their loss, and help them in every aspect with the arrangements and the days to come. In Jesus’s Name. Amen!” 😭 ~ Jaime Howell Duane

November 12th, 2019

Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Snowden. He was a nice teacher, coach and let us not forget drivers ed instructor. Thoughts and prayers to his family. Rick and Cindy Martin

November 12th, 2019

Todd, Cindy,and family so sorry for your loss. Elva Stigall

November 12th, 2019

My condolences to the family. Nelson was a great coach and teacher. He was always able to get my best effort out of me. Some of my best memories will always be playing football on his team.

November 12th, 2019

So sorry for your loss of Mr Snowden. He was a great teacher and coach. Sally Atwater

November 12th, 2019

So sorry for the families loss, I have several memories of Mr.Snowden from school.

November 12th, 2019

Donna Nelson and family. So sorry for your loss. He was a great person and a teacher and a neighbor.

Judy Cleavinger

November 12th, 2019

We are so sorry for your loss and sadness. Dave and Lauri DeMott

November 12th, 2019

My deepest sympathy to the Snowden family. Mr. Snowden was my favorite teacher. He will be remembered with love & respect. Laura (Cox) Seamster

November 12th, 2019

My condolences on the loss of Mr Snowden. I worked many summers detassling for Mr Snowden and he was a class act. Taught me many life lessons that I remember to this day.
Leah (Mugrage) Benton

November 12th, 2019

To the Snowden family...I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Snowden's paaing...my thought and prayers are with you all.Teresa Sorrells

November 12th, 2019

So sorry for your loss he was
A great teacher an friend will be missed juanita (Kendrick)Hammack

November 12th, 2019

Deepest condolences to the Snowden family. Nelson was greatly admired and respected by our family and many others. Prayers for comfort and peace

November 12th, 2019

to Donna and all the family. Gary & Cheryl (Cox) Matteson

November 12th, 2019

Dear Donna and family, please accept our sympathy at the passing of Nelson. May you feel God's love and comfort during this difficult time. Rodney and Theresa Keefauver

November 12th, 2019

So sorry for your loss. We are so grateful for that last visit on Saturday morning. He will be greatly missed. Mike and Cathy

November 12th, 2019

So sorry to hear of your loss.
Nelson was a great teacher, coach, freind, and mentor. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Joe Hughes

November 12th, 2019

The nicest man & teacher .... keeping all the family in prayers.... he will surely be missed.

November 12th, 2019

To the family had memories from high school of Mr. Snowden My prayers go out to the family

November 12th, 2019

sorry for your loss Mike and Brian he was truly a special man one of a kind

Floyd and Anna Page

November 12th, 2019

Todd Cindy and Lily we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. Nathan Michelle and Josie

November 12th, 2019

Great coach! Great motivator! Even better person. My condolences to the family.

November 12th, 2019

Donna and family, We are so sorry to hear this sad news~~you and Nelson were loved and respected by all the students who walked the halls of V.I.T. What a wonderful legacy he has left in your family, friends and community! Our thoughts and prayers will be with y’all as you go through this difficult time together. John & Jane Derry

November 12th, 2019

Todd, Cindy, Reece, & Lily and family: I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

November 12th, 2019

Sorry for your loss Mrs Snowden. He was a good person all around. He dedicated his life to educating kids and training young people to compete while being good sportsmans.

November 12th, 2019

Todd, sorry to learn of the passing of your father. Ken and Kathy Barnes

November 12th, 2019

Our lives, I think are measured by the number of lives touched in a positive way. Coach Nelson certainly set a high standard. Roy Cripe

November 12th, 2019

Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sara Remy

November 12th, 2019

Donna and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! I am so sorry for your loss. Nelson was a very special person and will be missed greatly! Michelle Wherley

November 12th, 2019

So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and Prayers. Crystal Elsley

November 12th, 2019

Thoughts and prayers for the entire family. He was a great teacher and will be missed. Kathy (Ellison) Watson.

November 12th, 2019

Thinking about you and your family and prayers for continued strength for all of you. Nelson was a great example for all the students he taught and his classes were interesting as well as enjoyable. We have all lost a great deal with his passing. Charles and Nancy Wickwire

November 12th, 2019

Mr Snowden will always be my Favorite Football Coach. Forever. Fred Current

November 12th, 2019

We will all miss Mr.Snowden. My thoughts and prayers. Melissa Current

November 13th, 2019

Sure sorry to hear this. Nelson was always good to me. Much Respect. My condolences to his wife and family.

November 13th, 2019

Donna and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I cherish my countless fond memories of Nelson, as do the thousands of other folks whose lives have been touched by him. What a great guy!
Dennis Bassett

November 13th, 2019

Donna and family, I too am so very sorry for your loss. I have many good memories of my high school years at VIT and I have to agree with Dennis about the countless number of lives he touched and how many he influenced in a positive way. My heart goes out to all of you. Many prayers for peace and comfort in your loss. Wanda Baumgardner Shannon

November 13th, 2019

We are so very sorry for your loss! We have wonderful memories of Nelson, as a kind man, co-worker, coach and friend! We are lifting you in prayer, Rick and Kathy Heller

November 13th, 2019

Donna, Mike, Tony, Todd and your families,
I have very fond memories of your family through the years. Your dad was a very upright and respected man, teacher and coach. He never seemed to let little things bother him (you may have seen a different side) 😉. I remember babysitting, or should I say “watching” you boys on occasion. You really didn’t need me there since you were such great boys. I give your parents so much credit for that!
Jim & I had the privilege to come back to VIT for the dedication and renaming of the football field in his honor. What a proud moment for him and his family! So very deserving! Our prayers are with you and your families! God Bless!

November 13th, 2019

Sandy & Jim Derry

November 13th, 2019

Tony, Cathy, and all the Snowdens. So sorry to hear about your loss. Only got to meet your Dad a few times - but I remember a good natured fun guy. In our thoughts and prayers - the Gleason's

November 13th, 2019

Donna and family, so sorry to hear about Nelson, he was beloved by so many of us VIT students. I loved having him as a history teacher and he was a great coach and friend to most of us. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jeanette Lascelles Coyle

November 13th, 2019

So sorry for your loss
Remembering him fondly
Precious memories
The Taylor Family, Gary, Bev, Miranda

November 14th, 2019

Sorry for your loss.Mr.Snowden was a great teacher,great coach and great friend to all.Hugs and prayers.Randy and Brenda Vaughn

November 14th, 2019

Life or death!! Boys this game is a lot bigger than that!!!!!!!!!!Jack lin cody Myers

November 14th, 2019

So sorry for your family’s loss. My husband had Nelson as a coach, he had the best stories about him and the upmost respect for him. Glad he was at the lady class reunion

November 14th, 2019

last reunion. It was Jacks last too. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Karen Lamm and Family

November 14th, 2019

We are so very sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Snowden. He was a great teacher, coach, and person.
Mike and Marla Rumler
Darren and Shawn Jones

November 14th, 2019

Condolences to the entire Snowden family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. K. Scot Reynolds

November 14th, 2019

Dear Donna and family please accept our sympathy at the passing of Nelson. May God comfort you with His love during this difficult time. Rodney and Theresa Keefauver

November 14th, 2019

So sorry for the family's loss.
Debbie Vance

November 16th, 2019

Donna, Mike, Tony, and Todd. I am so sorry for your loss. Nelson was a great coach and teacher. Lots of great memories. Douglas Easley

November 16th, 2019

We are so sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts are with you. He was a wonderful man. Nobuko Green, Susie Green

November 16th, 2019

Thoughts and prayers. ~Michelle (Chenoweth) Younce and family

November 16th, 2019

Donna, Mike, Tony, and Todd,,, You have our deepest sympathies. I am so glad I was able to catch up with Coach at a game last year. Great memories from the classroom, Lisa on the detassling crew, and of course football. Thank you for sharing him with all of us, and so many young people throughout the years. What a wonderful thing to know he touched, and was loved by so many. God bless. Scott and Lisa Fawcett

November 19th, 2019

To the Snowden family; So very sorry to hear the passing of Coach Snowden. My brother and I played football at V.I.T. in1968 and had the time of our life. We both admired and respected our coach. He touched both of our lives. We went back to V.I.T. about 15 years after we graduated and we were able to see Coach Snowden again and had a great visit, reminiscing about watching the previous week’s football game film in History Class each Monday. My brother and I went back just to see him. His life will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Doug and Brian Gann