Richard Lyle Snell (Heath)

Richard Lyle (Heath) Snell, 92, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025. Richard was born May 14, 1933 to Leila (Chew) and Lyle Snell in Jackson County, Michigan and was raised by his paternal grandparents, Raymond and Florence Heath, on their farm north of Albion, Michigan.

After graduating from Albion High School in 1951, Dick proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. Following his military service in the Korean War, he graduated from Michigan State University in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Communications. He was a member of the Alpha Delta Sigma (ADS) advertising honorary fraternity. After graduation, he worked for several companies before starting Snell Advertising where he spent the rest of his career.

Richard was active in the Jackson community. He was a supplemental professor at Jackson Community College and taught business classes at Southern Michigan Prison. He had served as board member on the Jackson Housing Commission, Jackson County TIP (Turn in Pushers), Jackson County Crippled Children, Jackson Area Small Business Council, Goodwill Industries, Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Council, and the Jackson County 4-H Foundation. He was a member of the Jackson Rotary Club and served as its president. He was a founding member of the Jackson Breakfast Rotary Club and served as District Public Relations Chair. He was awarded the Vocational Service Award and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.

Richard was a member of the Jackson First United Methodist Church and served as an usher and on the Board of Trustees, Planned Giving, Finance and other committees.

His military service remained a source of pride throughout his life, and he maintained his connection to fellow veterans as a life member of both the American Legion and the VFW.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Joanne (Nesman) Snell, his children Susan (Peter) Gorman and Laurie Schultz and granddaughters Katie Gorman, Madelaine and Meade Schultz. He is also survived by his sister Wendy (James) Carter, and nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church, 275 W. Michigan in Jackson. Visitation will be from 10 – 11 AM with the service at 11 AM. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Jackson First United Methodist Church or Rotary International in his memory.

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