DOVER - David James Snell left this world for eternal life on January 16, 2025 at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital. He peacefully departed, surrounded by 3 generations of his loving family.
Dave was born October 9, 1936, in Batavia, New York, to the late Frank Gold Snell and Caroline Olive (Wagoner) Snell.
Dave graduated from Alexander Central High School in 1954. He then joined the United States Army where he served from 1956 to 1958. Back in New York in 1961, he worked at the Jello Plant in LeRoy, NY. In 1964 the family moved to Dover, Delaware, where he worked as a Warehouse Supervisor at General Foods/Kraft Foods until 1988. In 1990 he went back to work as a Security Guard at Kent General Hospital, until retiring in 2002. David was an active leader in many organizations, including Marydel Little League, Lions Club, Marydel Volunteer Fire Company 56, Marydel Volunteer Fire Police, Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association State President, Delaware Volunteer Fire Police Association State President, elected two times.
He was a Life Member of the Marydel Fire Company, and most recently served as Westminster Village LTC Resident Council President.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife Donna Ann Snell; his son James David Snell; his brother Charles H. Snell; and his granddaughter, Becky Lee Coulson.
Dave is survived by his daughters Debra Wilkins and her husband David; Laurie Coulson Sinde and her husband Richard; his brother, Frank P. Snell and his wife, Patsy; his sister Mary (Dusti) Hinders; his daughter in law, Aimee Snell; his sister in law, Katherine Snell; his grandchildren, Jessica Coulson Stamas and her husband, Michael; Erica Coulson Nichols Hall and her husband, Tyson; Derek Wilkins, Brittany Snell, Caroline Snell and her husband, Nicholas Mullen, and James David Snell II; and his great grandchildren, Idalis Stamas McPhail and her husband Tyler, Bryanna Stamas, Nathan Stamas, Izabella Stamas, Briston Coulson, Ally Ann Nichols, Joe Daniel Nichols, and Julia Mullen. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and “adopted” son Bruce Pleasanton.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Westminster Village, State Street Assisted Living, and Bayhealth Kent General for their loving care during Dave’s final years and days. Celebration of Life service will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Torbert Funeral Chapel, 1145 E. Lebanon Road, Dover, Delaware. Friends and family may gather one hour prior.
For those unable to attend the funeral service there will be a livestream on www.torbertfuneral.com, it can be found under the “Upcoming Livestreams” tab and viewed by clicking on their name.
Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com
