Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

Article published Sep 21, 2006
Leonel Soto
Aug. 24, 1945 - Sept. 17, 2006

Leonel “Leo” Guzman Soto, 61, died on the morning of Sunday, September 17, following a six-year battle with cancer.

Leo was born in Pharr, Texas, to Isaac and Susana (Guzman) Soto, and moved to the South Bend area in 1967. On September 21, 1968, he married Connie Cain, who survives. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad in 2005 after 38 years of service.

Survivors include Connie; daughters, Lisa (Brad) Soto Kile of Bremen, Carmen (Jeff) Soto Stickel of Indianapolis; two very special granddaughters, Miranda and Mayan Stickel of Indianapolis. He also leaves behind four brothers, Macario (Betty) of South Bend, Eliseo (Laya) of San Juan, Texas, Nieves (JoAnn) of Katy, Texas, and Isaac Jr. (Elva) of Donna, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews and many program friends. There to greet him was his son, Adam, his parents, sister, Fela Ordonez, and brother, Carlos.

Leo, a.k.a. “El Conquistador,” was a proud and humble man. He often told the story about the midwife charging his mother three chickens to help with his birth. He attended school in a one-room school house. He went to work at an early age as a migrant worker with his family traveling through the West and Midwest. Leo was a hard-working man, spending many hours laboring as a trackman, inspector and assistant supervisor for the railroad. He earned his GED and associate degree in his late 40s and was a lifelong learner. Leo was a member of the Amarillo Star Dance Club. He was a parishioner of St. Pius X Church for the 34 years he lived in Granger. He helped build his home on Elm Road and spent many hours working in his yard and garden. Leo was a world traveler, venturing to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Mideast.

His family remembers -- races to the mailbox, the beep of his work truck, umpiring at Harris Township Little League, help with softball, rifle, homework, trips to the tutor and his love of animals, especially Frazier. We all will remember-- he was a man of few words but could make a long story longer, had a great sense of humor, had a radiant smile and was the World's Best Baba. He was a mean Chicken Tracks player, loved ice cream, and was one of the Three Amigos.

Leo's family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and staff at Michiana Hematology and Oncology and those on the 10th floor and ICU at Memorial Hospital. We are especially grateful to Dr. Michelle Thompson for her respectful manner, care and compassion.

Friends may visit with Leo's family beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, in the Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Services will begin at 5:00 p.m. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pet Refuge, 2300 W. 6th Street, Mishawaka, or to the Fellowship House, 1438 E. Calvert, South Bend.

We will miss you, Dad and Baba-See you at the end of the railroad tracks!