José A. Soto, 89, of Lebanon, PA, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a year-long journey with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. He was just shy of his 90th birthday. Born in Utuado, Puerto Rico, in 1936, José was the son of the late José Soto and Catalina Pérez.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Patricia J. Soto. He is survived by his wife, Maria del Rosario Millan; sisters, Herminia Soto de Aquino and Delia Soto de Moreno, and brother, Israel, all of Puerto Rico; children, Lillian Meeker, and her husband, Donald, of Maryland, Joseph W. Soto, of Virginia, and Lisa Guseman, and her husband, Roger, of Virginia; grandchildren, Paul, Andrew, Alex, and Tori; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
José retired from Hershey Foods Corporation over 25 years ago after many years of active employment at the Hershey plant. José had a lifelong love of music and especially enjoyed playing the cuatro, a traditional Puerto Rican guitar. He played semi-professionally in his younger years and continued sharing his gift well into his 80s, playing guitar and leading his church’s musical group.
José was deeply dedicated to his faith and was an active member and leader in his local parish. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, served as a lay minister, and was also involved in the Cursillo movement. For many years, José visited the elderly and the sick, bringing liturgy and prayer to them.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2026, at St. Benedict the Abbot Church, 1300 Lehman St., Lebanon, PA 17046. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. A visitation will be held prior to Mass from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jose’s name may be made to St. Benedict the Abbot Church at the above address. Thompson Funeral Home Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. The family welcomes your memories and messages in Thompson Funeral Home’s online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com.
