Rev. Jose A. Santiago, 79, of Lancaster, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, at Lancaster General Hospital on Thursday, January 8, 2015. Born in Puerto Rico, Jose was the son of the late Basiliso and Francisca (Rivera) Santiago. He was the loving husband of Agdelia (Ortiz) Santiago with whom he enjoyed over 56 years of marriage. Jose came to the U.S. in 1969 to help with the Spanish Mennonite churches in Lancaster, New Holland and Reading. Jose earned his Master's degree in Bible from Eastern Mennonite University and Seminary. Throughout his ministry Jose served as pastor, teacher, missionary, evangelist, bishop/supervisor, moderator, administrator, and was one of the founders of the Concilio de Iglesias Menonitas Hispanas (Council of Hispanic Mennonite Churches). Most recently he ministered at La Luz del Mundo church in Reading, PA. In addition to his wife, Jose is survived by four children: daughter Elizabeth, wife of David Acosta, and their children Nelinda and Landri of Florida; daughter Noemi, wife of David Antonio Figueroa, and their children Sidney, Andrei and Linney of Lancaster; daughter Miriam, wife of Ronald Leatherman, and their children Adrian, Alyssa and Alex of Abington, Pennsylvania; and son Pablo Santiago, and children Isaac and Jelissa of Lancaster. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 5 siblings. Jose was preceded in death by three siblings.

Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing for Jose from 7-9 PM, Friday, January 16, 2015 at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602. Funeral Services for Jose will be held at 10AM, Saturday, January 17, 2015 at James Street Mennonite Church, 323 West James St, Lancaster, PA 17603 with Rev. Samuel Lopez officiating. Interment will follow at Mellinger's Mennonite Cemetery. Flowers are welcome and memorial contributions may be made to La Luz del Mundo Church, 900 N. 12th St., Reading, PA 19604. Please leave thoughts and prayers for the family at http://rememberingjose.com.