Jose L Torres

Jose Luis Torres (Pepito), 83, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully Friday morning January 7, 2022. He was the Husband of Nancy (Erb, Yonker) Torres for 18 years, and son of the late Jose Isabel Torres and Filomena Vera Vera. Jose is preceded in death by his first wife Ellen Christine (Ruhl) Torres, whom he was married to for 38 years, and is survived by 3 siblings, Blanca Lidia Torres Vera, Angel David Torres Vera, Edilberto Torres Vera; 4 children, Linda Heisey wife of Jeff, Darlene Weaver wife of Terry, Arlene Albrite wife of Wade, David Torres husband of Esther; step daughters Jennifer Mirth wife of Chris, Suzanne Miller wife of Michael; 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Born in Puerto Rico, February 19, 1938, Jose worked from his youth on the family coffee farm in the mountains of Castañer. Jose’s childhood was filled with tropical forest adventures, folk remedies, and mysterious stories and country legends. Like most people in his area of Puerto Rico his family was of limited means but hardworking and resourceful. Circumstances were rustic with long walks to school, homework done by candlelight, meals cooked on open wood fires, …for a glimpse of his culture picture a young Jose Torres climbing a coconut tree barefooted with a machete in hand, something he often did.

As a young man Jose took employment as a lab tech at a hospital founded by the Church of the Brethren, “Castañer General Hospital” in Puerto Rico. There he would meet his future bride Ellen (Christine) Ruhl who was pursing her nursing internship at the same hospital. They married in PR then relocated to Richland, PA, where they had Linda, followed by “the twins” Darlene and Arlene. After a few years, they purchased a house in Buffalo Springs where their family grew with a fourth child, David.

Starting his new life in Pennsylvania was challenging; a different culture, language, cold winters, and walking to work until he could afford his first car. But Jose would find support from family, friends, and the fellowship of believers at Richland COB and later Midway COB where in 1984 he made a public profession of his faith in Christ.

Jose had an amazing work ethic, when he put his mind to a task he worked at it tirelessly for family, friends, and even people he didn’t know through many disaster relief projects. His first job was at a shoe factory in Richland, then employed at the Middletown airport, and finally 33 years at PennDOT as a driver then as a mechanic.

He worked very hard but he always made family vacations an annual priority. The family will never forget the 1979 month long tour across the USA in their Ford station wagon (with no air conditioning) and our Jayco popup camper in tow. It was a quintessential American vacation with stops at Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Grand Tetons and most importantly… Jose always desirous of broadening his children’s education ... the Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota.

His hobbies and interests were many: camping, woodworking, carvings, painting, antiquing, restoring old cars...etc. Some of his creations might be thought of as folk art, often with biblical themes. His latest creation was a replica of the Ark of the Covenant which he donated to Myerstown COB.

Jose had certain “ways” about him. He was at his best when there was a need that he could help with. His gift was acts of service. Looking back on his life we will always remember this about Jose. Sometimes his acts of service reached heroic proportions like when he jumped into the Susquehanna River in February 1969, saving a woman who attempted to take her own life by jumping into the icy river. He was a man of action, and that’s how he showed in his own way, love. That’s how we’ll remember Jose, willing to serve even when it would cost him. This is the God given gift that gave him a sense of purpose.

A viewing for Jose will be held Friday, January 14, 2022 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at South Lebanon Community Church, 13 Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA 17042. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 14, 2022 at 2:30 PM, 13 Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA 17042. A burial will occur Friday, January 14, 2022 at 3:30 PM at Midway Cemetery, 13 Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA 17042.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.clauserfh.com for the Torres family.