Sneider Theodore G. 1919-1942

SNEIDER, VANDONGE, THOMAS

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 2/17/2014 at 23:40:10

Source Sioux Center News (10-21-1942)

Theodore G. Sneider, 23-year-old son of Mrs. Gertrude Van Donge of near McNally, was killed in an airplane crash while on a routine training flight from Ellington field, Texas, last week.

Schneider was killed together with Ernest B. Thomas Jr. of Dawson, Georgia, who was flying with him. The pair left Ellington field, near Houston, at 9:30 P.M. last Friday. When they did not return on schedule, a search was instituted, but the plane was not found until late Tuesday.

The men were ordered to fly to Navasota and Bryan, northwest of Huston, but their plane was found near Sheridan, several miles to the south of their course. It had fallen in a heavily wooded area. Civil air patrol flyers found the wreckage.

Both Sneider and Thomas were privates first class. They were flying a bi-motored advance training plane.

Notice of the tragedy was received by Mrs. Van Donge Wednesday afternoon in a telegram from Ellington field authorities.

Sneider was secluded to get his commission as a second lieutenant in the air force November 11. He already had written his mother urging her to come to Huston for the occasion. “Come early“, he wrote recently, “I have the swellest room in the swellest hotel in Huston, reserved for you.”

First word of the mishap to be received here, according to Ed Van Donge, the young man’s step-father, was a telegram which arrived Monday noon, from Ellington field authorities. It merely stated that young Sneider was overdue and that a search had been started for him.

Sneider enlisted in the army air forces in January 1941. He went first to Chanute field, Illinois, for his preliminary training and later was transferred to the Texas field.

Sneider is a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. S. Sneider of Sioux Center. He stayed with his grandparents one year when he attended the local high school. He finished his high school work at Ireton.

The body was shipped to Ireton for burial. Military funeral services were conducted by the American Legion Saturday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock from the Christian Reformed Church, Rev. Van Dyke delivered the sermon.