Gene A. Snodgrass

March 30, 1938 – May 7, 2017

A chapel funeral service will be held for Gene A. Snodgrass, 79, of North Bend, on Saturday, May 20th at 11:00 a.m. at Coos Bay Chapel, 685 Anderson Avenue, with pastor Bill Moldt of Hauser Community Church presiding. A graveside committal will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery, 63060 Millington Frontage road in Coos Bay. A reception will be held from 12-4 at the Coos Bay Elks Lodge, 265 Central Avenue.

Gene was born on March 30, 1938 in Rolla, Missouri to Virgil Snodgrass and Mary ( Pugh ) Snodgrass. He passed away peacefully at his home in North Bend on May 7, 2017 with family members by his side. After a long battle with cancer, he went home to be with the Lord.

While still a young boy, Gene and his family moved to Tiffany, Colorado, where he grew up. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 – 1960 and was stationed in Furth, Germany. He married Emma Hatzel while in Germany. Three children were born to them, Luzia, Melanie and Johnny Snodgrass.

After Emma’s death, Gene married Geneva Sellick in Reno, Nevada on  June 24, 1978. Lee and Brian Sellick joined the family.

Gene worked 38 years for Weyerhaeuser in a variety of jobs. Fortunately, his strong work ethic passed down to his children and grandchildren. He loved working outdoors in his flower beds and making sure his yard had a “park-like” appearance. He also enjoyed camping, fishing and elk hunting with his family in Eastern Oregon near John Day.

Gene was a member of Hauser Community Church. He and Geneva traveled to Israel and Jordan with their church group in November 1997, and were baptized in the Jordan River. They also enjoyed their only cruise, which was to Alaska, with their grandson Travis, Rob and his family.

Gene is survived by his wife, Geneva Snodgrass of North Bend; daughter, Luzia Essner of Hawthorne, CA; daughter, Melanie Snodgrass and her husband Wayne Guptill of North Bend; son, Lee Sellick and his wife Betsy of Tigard; son, Brian Sellick and his wife Chanda of Portland; brother, Carl Snodgrass of Jefferson; sister, Laura Etheridge of Tillamook; grandsons, Travis Hollingsworth and partner Rob Mode of Portland, and Ben Sellick and his wife Mandy of Glendale, CA; granddaughters, Trisha Hollingsworth and partner Kayleigh Howard of Washougal, WA, Heidi Sellick of Portland, and Kirsten Marshall of Hawthorne, CA; step grandchildren, Valerie Casillis, Kaylynn, Camillle, Justin and Ryan Jobe; step great-grandaughter Keilani Ruiz of Portland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, mother, first wife Emma, son Johnny, two sisters and two brothers.

The family thanks all of the doctors and nurses at Coos Bay Radiation and Cancer Center for his excellent care and also South Coast Hospice ( Mike, Melissa, Samantha and others who helped ) for their loving care of Gene during his final last days.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to South Coast Hospice, 1620 Thompson Road, Coos Bay, OR 97420 or to Hauser Community Church, 69411 Wildwood Road, North Bend, OR 97459. Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.worldlink.com and www.coosbayareafunerals.com. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.

 Service Information