Eli Tanielu de Soto

October 21, 2000 – December 19, 2023

Eli was so loved by all who knew him, either for a lifetime or for a few minutes.

If you were fortunate enough to know Eli, you felt the warmth of his wonderful smile. When he smiled, his eyes twinkled and you got a glimpse of his kind and generous spirit. Eli left this earth too soon for those of us who now must learn how to live without him. But the tenderness in his quiet, helping, sweet soul remains for us to share with one another.

Eli was born in Apia, Samoa on October 21, 2000. Alex de Soto and Lynn Schilaty were blessed to have been chosen to be his parents. Eli joined his sister, Emma, and brother, Ethan, in Snohomish, Washington. Eli grew up in a community full of family (grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins) and friends. He was blessed to have many wonderful teachers at Central and Riverview Elementary, Centennial Middle School, and Snohomish High School. High school German club, tennis, and track all provided youth and adults the opportunity to experience his warmth, wit and wisdom. Cherished family time at their beach house on Whidbey Island and trips to Disneyland, Los Angeles, Washington DC, England, Germany and Mexico, helped fuel Eli’s sense of wonder. His in-depth knowledge of history and desire to learn more was a source of joy and wonderment. Traveling with him was one of his mom’s greatest joys, he was so knowledgeable and the greatest museum tour guide.

Eli had a strong sense of curiosity; he was always investigating how things worked. He initially was fascinated with trains, first Thomas the Tank, then all trains, then WW II tanks, and old Ford trucks. His first vehicle was a 1990 Ford Ranger and he loved asking people, “What was your first car?” His interest in WW II tanks became an all-consuming passion which led him to learning about Europe. He took German classes starting in high school and spent his junior year of high school in Stuttgart, Germany enveloped by the loving, caring family of Bobbi and Tina Lozančić and their children, Adelina, Antonia, and Noel. He made many international friends.

A graduate of Snohomish High School in 2019, Eli went on to attend Western Washington University where he was studying supply chain and logistics along with German studies. Since 2021, he worked for the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department where he loved spending time with his co-workers and the outdoors, marveling at the scenery of this beautiful part of the world. He traded his truck for a 1988 Ford Bronco II which during college took Eli and friends to many remote roads of Whatcom County to hike, kayak, fish, or film TikTok videos. His Bronco was a source of pride and he babied it.

Eli developed an incredible online community of remote-control WW II tank enthusiasts. Under the name of Tanitank (Tani for his middle name Tanielu, meaning Daniel), Eli nurtured his TikTok, YouTube and Instagram communities into more than 400,000 followers. His WW II tank videos were cinematic and engaging, capturing moments in history, the intricacies of tank battles, and the pros and cons of various WW II tanks. His community of followers loved his sense of humor, his encyclopedic knowledge, and the genuine love he had for this hobby. Eli’s creativity, knowledge and sense of humor inspired followers from all over the world and when we lost him, they were devastated that their leader had left. Reading through the thousands of kind, appreciative words is a testament to the positive and uplifting community he built. “Godspeed Commander” was how many remarked on his passing.

Eli died by suicide. Suicide is caused by mental illness which is a disease, not a choice. We are bereft and struggle to get up each morning without the light and love that Eli brought to our lives. We hope that by highlighting Eli’s silent struggle we can raise awareness and possibly help anyone else who may be feeling hopeless. Please know that you are loved and there are people who want to help you make it through what may seem like an impossible road ahead. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Eli leaves behind his father, Alex de Soto, mother, Lynn Schilaty, sister, Emma and brother, Ethan, Uncles and Aunts John and Diane Schilaty, Gary and Kathy Jones, Jim and Merrie Sekulich, and Annette de Soto and Rahul Dodhia, Pam Schilaty, and Mary de Soto, Grandmother Marilyn de Soto, and tons of cousins. He has joined his grandparents Flora (Flo) and Kenneth (Ken) Schilaty, and his grandfather Roy de Soto, in heaven.

We will celebrate Eli’s life together at 1pm, Saturday, January 13th at the First Presbyterian Church, 1306 Lake View Ave, in Snohomish, Washington. Simple reception following at the church.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a donation in Eli’s memory to The Campaign for Compass Health, a regional community behavioral health organization, www.compasshealth.org/donate , PO Box 3810 mail stop 49, Everett WA 98203 or Eli’s beloved Bovington Tank Museum, https://tankmuseum.org/support-us or https://www.paypal.com/uk/fundraiser/charity/136645 or a charity of your choice.