Cornie Ray Sneller was born July 15, 1963, to Henry and Deretha (DeGoey) Sneller, in Newton, Iowa. He moved with his family to various small towns around the area before ultimately settling in Knoxville, Iowa. His middle school and high school years were filled with football, wrestling, and acting as Treasurer for his FFA Chapter. Cornie graduated from Knoxville High School in 1982.

After high school, Cornie attended Des Moines Area Community College, obtaining his Associates of Applied Science in Ag Equipment in the spring of 1984.

Cornie joined the United States Army in February of 1985. He served as an Assistant Squad Leader and a gunner for his mortar squad. His time in the army ended abruptly in September of 1987, when an explosion during a field exercise resulted in the burning of both of his hands, resulting in his honorable medical discharge.

Shortly thereafter, he and his family relocated to Pella, Iowa. Here, Cornie became a welder at Vermeer Corporation in the fall of 1987. He was proud of his expertise in the field of welding and would often speak with his family about the ins and outs of the trade. He retired at the beginning of August 2024, having worked for the company for almost 37 years.

Cornie was actively involved in his kids' lives growing up and was often seen at Pella High sporting events for his son, or spending time with his daughter, chaperoning her and her friends to various events. He was also actively involved with Cadets at Trinity Reformed Church for nine years and helped with the annual Cadet Campout.

In his spare time, Cornie enjoyed spending time outdoors; sitting and appreciating God's creation, working alongside his brothers on various projects, riding motorcycles, hunting, and attending tractor pulls with the Sneller boys. Cornie had constant companions in his dogs Duke and Lexi. Family was very important to him, and he would visit his daughter and sons' families and enjoyed watching his grandkids in their various activities.

Cornie leaves behind his kids and their families:

Kassandra and Ross McFerrin

Kayleigh, Easton, Conor

Casey and Taylor Sneller

Karson, Natalie

He is also survived by his sisters: Linda Tibboel, and Connie Heyveld, and several nieces and nephews.

Cornie was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Deretha Sneller, brothers Alvin Sneller, and Lowell Sneller, and brothers-in-law Harold Tibboel and Don Heyveld.