James R. Snider, age 96, of Marysville, died peacefully, Monday, May 8, 2023, at The Ohio State University Medical Center.
A sales associate with O.M. Scott and Sons, Jim began his 40-year career with the Scotts company in Marysville in 1948. He became one of the original six members of the Scotts Retail Sales Force in 1954 and served the up-state New York territory while living in Rochester, New York. In 1957, he returned to Marysville and joined the Scotts National Sales Division.
He met his future wife, Lya Cioffi, in 1945 when she was visiting Marysville with her Heidelberg College roommate. Jim and Lya were married in Rochester, New York in 1952, and spent a beloved 65 years together before her passing on Valentine’s Day in 2017.
A 1944 graduate of Marysville High School, he received a bachelors degree from The Ohio State University in 1948. Jim was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving on active duty during the Korean Conflict and with the Naval Reserve for six years.
Jim was an active and integral part of the Marysville community, and he believed strongly in public service. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and served four years as president of the church council. He was past president of Toastmaster’s Club and Marysville Kiwanis Club. He also served on the Marysville High School Athletic Hall of Fame board and volunteered for thirty years as a Memorial Hospital mobile meals transporter.
An avid golfer, Jim played Scotland’s St. Andrews Old Course and other Scottish and Irish courses. He was a four-time club champion at Marysville Golf Club. He was also a big fan of Marysville and Ohio State athletics. He and his late wife, Lya, enjoyed many winter months in Florida and travels to Europe, especially Italy.
He was born March 3, 1927 in Columbus to the late Rose Joyce Snider and James M. Snider, M.D. In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Billy. He is survived by: his daughter, Gilda Snider Horn and son-in-law, Joe Stewart, both of Cincinnati; his son, Jim Snider and daughter-in-law, Cindy; a brother, Dr. Gordon Snider of Lancaster; a brother-in -law, Frederick Cioffi of Naples, Florida; five grandchildren; three great-grandsons; and many other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2023 at Underwood Funeral Home, where The Holy Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. Kevin J. Kavanagh will officiate and burial will be beside his beloved wife, Lya, at the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame or Memorial Hospital Mobile Meals. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.underwoodfuneralhome.com.

“I’ve enjoyed a great, long life.” – Jim Snider