Carmelo Tirado-Morales, 80, of Cleona, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, he was the beloved son of the late Georgino and Mariana Morales Tirado. He was the loving husband of Kaye Helen Klick Tirado. Carmelo came to the U.S. at the age of 15 and very briefly spent time in New York before moving to Lebanon, PA. He learned the true meaning of hard work and took his first job at the Grimes Chicken Plant and later at the Cornwall Mines. He later worked at Bethlehem Steel and, later, Hershey, in the Kit-Kat department. Carmelo’s dedication to his work still left time for those he loved most.
Nothing meant more to Carmelo than his family. You could often find him in the presence of friends and family, listening to Johnny Cash and oldies, and creating a home-cooked meal for them to enjoy. He once saw The Beatles in New York and casually would let folks know of this, like it was “just another day.” He was proud of his Spanish rice recipe that he passed down to numerous family and friends, with each putting their special touch on his recipe. His passion for cooking didn’t stop there, as he also made a wonderful salad and soup that his family raved about. He had a passion for classic cars, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Steelers, politics, and his cat, Mookie.
Surviving are his children, Rose, wife of Jerry Hallman, Kim, wife of Frank Uhler, Lydia, wife of Michael Cox, and Andrew Tirado; grandchildren, Gerald “Corky,” Leo, Tony, Frankie, Cinnomin, Michael, and Stacey; a plethora of great-grandchildren; and siblings, Miguel Tirado, Paulina Melendez, and Galia Rivera. Preceding him in passing, in addition to his wife, are his son, Carl Tirado; and brothers, Justa Tirado and Luis Morales.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Carmelo’s funeral service at Snyder Bean Funeral Home & Crematory, 890 Isabel Dr., Lebanon, PA 17042, on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 1 p.m. There will be a viewing and time of visitation with the family from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Kimmerling’s Cemetery. Those desiring may send memorial contributions in Carmelo’s memory to The American Heart Association.
