Bertha Snyder leaves $2 million to the Metamora Village, part of which provided seed money for the development of Snyder Village.
Bertha Snyder passed at the age of 102 years old, having lived in Metamora for 82 years. At the time of her 100th birthday, Mrs. Snyder reminisced by saying, “Metamora is a friendly town. It’s clean, the churches are good, and the schools are adequate. I’ve lived a very happy life here.”
1982
The Metamora Community Nursing Home d/b/a Snyder Village is incorporated as a faith-based, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The Board of Directors consists of President Marvin Smith, Vice-President Dutch Bockler, Treasurer Loy Sloan, Secretary Marge Mason, Walter Goetz, Joann Heinzmann, Bob Harbers, Jr., John Keys and John Reeb.
1985
A 10-acre site on the northeast side of Metamora is selected for the proposed nursing home and retirement community. The project will involve a skilled nursing health center and cottages for independent living and is expected to bring 60 new jobs to the area.
1986
Groundbreaking for the building of the Retirement Community and Health Center occurs.
1987
Keith Swartzentruber is named administrator of Snyder Village. Mr. Swartzentruber had been employed by Maple Lawn Homes in Eureka for 10 years, serving in various administrative roles. Cliff King, Executive Director of Maple Lawn Homes, said “We feel Keith’s marketing skills, his community organization skills, his nursing home management skills, and his commitment to Maple Lawn’s mission and values are all qualities needed to develop in Metamora first-quality medical care by a staff committed to Christian values and principles.” Swartzentruber is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in organizational management.
1987
The Health Center officially opens on July 1, 1988. The first residents move into the 61-bed Health Center and three duplex Retirement Community cottages.
1988
Land is purchased to expand the Retirement Community. The Health Center adds a Memory Care program, and a Memory Care courtyard is constructed.
1990
The Retirement Community adds eight apartments and a Community Room.
1992
Groundbreaking for the Health Center expansion and Therapy addition takes place. With funds from a community fundraising campaign, expansion begins in the Health Center, adding an additional 44 beds and a Therapy wing.
1993
The First Annual Auction and Pancake & Sausage Breakfast is held to raise money for Snyder Village residents.
1993
With the Health Center expansion complete, outpatient skilled therapy is offered to the community.
1995
Improvements to the Snyder Village campus continues. A pond is added to offer visual appeal and fishing opportunities for residents.
1995
Additional independent living cottages are added on the west side of campus. Construction of the Snyder Village Center (SV Center) is completed. The space will be used for local community functions and campus events. This project included adding 21 more independent living apartments.
1998
The first annual “Tee It Up” Golf Outing Benefit is held to raise funds for the Snyder Village Alzheimer’s Unit.
1998
Snyder Village begins offering Home Care services to campus residents and the surrounding community. These services allow individuals to remain independent in their own home. Snyder Village Home Care has grown to now offer services to four counties: Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and Marshall.
2000
Construction of the Assisted Living facility is finished, and it begins admitting new residents. Assisted Living contains 41 apartments. It provides support for persons who wish to keep their independence, yet still need a helping hand. A second pond is added to the campus.
2002
The front entrance marque sign is added to the campus.
2007
Groundbreaking for Phase 1 of Health Center renovations occurs. A Bistro is added on Hall 1 and resident rooms on Hall 1 are renovated. Resident rooms on Halls 2, 3 and 4 are renovated from 2012-2014.
2010
Renovations are completed at Assisted Living. A new wing is added featuring beautiful one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, a large common area, an activity room, and a spacious courtyard with gazebos. This new addition is now designated as “Traditional Assisted Living”, while much of the original Assisted Living space is converted into a Memory Care unit.
2015
The 85th duplex (to make a total of 170 independent living cottages) is constructed, completing the buildout of Snyder Village’s 48 acres.
2016
Groundbreaking on Phase 2 of Health Center renovations occurs. Bistros are added on Halls 2, 3 and 4, along with a Memory Care activity/lounge area for residents and families. Renovations are completed in 2019.
2018
Snyder Village is honored to win first place in the “Best of the Best Awards”. The Best of the Best Awards are “Peoria’s Original Community’s Choice Awards” where the public gets the opportunity to vote for their favorite businesses and services in dozens of categories. Snyder Village was nominated in two categories, Best Retirement Community and Best Assisted Living Center, claiming first place in both categories. The Retirement Community and Assisted Living go on to win first place in their perspective categories in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
2019
The COVID-19 pandemic brings new challenges to Snyder Village. New measures to protect the health and safety of residents and staff are put into place. The dedication of the Snyder Village employees continues to impress as they find new ways to serve the residents through this unfamiliar time.
2020
Snyder Village is selected a winner at the 22nd Annual BBB Torch Award for Business Ethics. The Central Illinois Better Business Bureau established an annual award program to gain public recognition for Central Illinois companies that maintain a solid commitment to conduct their business practices in an ethical fashion. The Torch Award is designed to promote not only the importance of ethical business practices, but also the willingness and efforts made by outstanding business to ensure that our marketplace remains fair and honorable for all Americans.
2021
Snyder Village receives Telligen’s Blue Ribbon in COVID-19 Vigilance Award. This award recognizes a commitment to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and places the organization on Telligen’s IL 2022 Blue Ribbon in COVID-19 Vigilance Recognition List.
2022
After 34 years serving at the non-profit organization, Snyder Village Executive Director Keith Swartzentruber announces plans to retire by December 31, 2022.
Janelle Clark begins the role of Executive Director of Snyder Village on August 1, 2022.
Janelle has over 20 years’ experience working in long-term care and is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master of Arts degree in Gerontology. She has served as an executive director, health center administrator, and a director of Assisted Living. She is a licensed nursing home administrator, a certified aging services professional, and a certified dementia practitioner.
2022
The Mission Continues: To date, Snyder Village has served over 5,000 residents & clients, employed more than 3,200 staff, and been assisted by countless volunteers, family members and friends. Our Mission contains the same charge as it has throughout our history; “We provide for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others in a loving, dignified and Christian atmosphere.” We thank God for His ongoing provision and blessings.
