Lynda Maida Snellman, age 61, of Hillsboro, passed away peacefully after a courageous journey through dementia, on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in Cincinnati. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 24, 1965, in Wilmington, the daughter of the late Dale and Kay Arlene (Muladore) Runyon.
Lynda graduated from Blanchester High School in 1983 and attended Otterbein University. In addition to participating in college musical groups, Lynda was a leader in the Kappa Phi Omega sorority. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in 1987, she continued her education at The Ohio State University, and earned a master’s degree in social work.
Those who knew Lynda would tell you that a few paragraphs could not adequately describe her. She was unique, strong-willed, funny, devoted, and gloriously herself. Most of all, she was a faithful child of God who left a lasting mark on the people fortunate enough to know her. Her faith was not simply something she talked about; it was something she lived. She was deeply devoted to God and to her church family, and through her life and witness, many people came to know Christ.
That devotion to loving God and loving people shaped her professional life as a counselor for more than 33 years. Throughout her career, she worked with Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health, Catholic Social Services, Health Source, and Talbert House, and also taught at Southern State Community College. Lynda’s caring heart and genuine compassion for others touched the lives of many people throughout her years of service. She had a gift for making people feel seen, heard, and valued.
Lynda was particularly successful in building relationships with young people. She spent many years serving as a church youth leader, and it was in the late 1990s in this role at Hillsboro United Methodist Church, that she met Bob – the love of her life – who was a youth leader at Faith Community Church. Bob and Lynda’s love story was rooted in shared faith: their friendship grew into a beautiful love, and they shared many wonderful years together. Lynda and Bob are currently members of Leesburg Trinity Church.
Music, theater, and movies were other passions of Lynda’s. She possessed a beautiful, powerful singing voice, which she shared generously with others. She was especially fond of Broadway shows and delighted in finding opportunities to introduce family and friends to the adventures to be found in New York City and its musical offerings. Movies and television (particularly stories that had predictable happy endings) were a welcome break from the intense reality of Lynda’s profession.
And then there were the little things that made Lynda unmistakably Lynda. She loved Reese’s peanut butter cups, Hershey’s milk chocolate, and Italian food. Chinese food and fish, however, were never on the menu. Christmas was all about Jesus, but Charlie Brown also had to be involved. Cats – domestic, wild, big and small – held her heart. She enjoyed football, cheering on The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Green Bay Packers, and she was especially proud to be a shareholder of the Green Bay Packers. Lynda knew what she liked, and also, what she did not.
Lynda treasured the people in her life and met them where they were: she was funny when laughter was needed, stubborn when she believed something mattered, generous with her time, fierce in her friendships, and steadfast in her faith. Lynda was fearfully and wonderfully made, and the faith, kindness, compassion, beautiful spirit, and love that she shared with others are her legacy.
Lynda is survived by the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Snellman Jr., whom she married on July 20, 2002; her mother-in-law, Mary Boldman; brother-in-law, Shannon (Ruthe) Snellman; nephews, Sora Fellinger-Snellman, Haden Wright, and Nolen Wright; her chosen brothers and sisters, Barbara Andermatt, Jerry Comer, Lynn Harden, and Laura Kavanagh, and their families; and extended family and friends too numerous to mention by name.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Tim Runyon.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with Celebration of Life service at 12noon, at the Leesburg Trinity Church.
A meal will be served at the church immediately following the service.
Burial will be held at a later date in the Sugar Grove Cemetery in Wilmington.
The Turner & Son Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Exotic Feline Rescue Center: efrc.org/donate
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Turner & Son Funeral Homes.