Charles J. Soda 1954-2025

Feb. 3, 2025, at the Hospice House in Poland following an eight-month courageous battle with cancer.

He was born June 28, 1954, in Warren, the son of Jess and Mary Dara Soda. Charlie was a 1972 graduate of Niles McKinley High School.

Following high school, he worked for 35 years for Soda Construction. He then drove truck for First Fleet until he retired in 2019.

In 2012, Charlie and Janet moved to Colorado where he loved watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the mountains. In 2020, they moved back home to Niles.

Charlie was of the Catholic faith and had 40 years of sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous.

He was an avid Cleveland Browns and OSU Buckeyes fan. He was an amazing cook and could make dishes that rivaled most restaurants. Charlie cherished activities with his sons as they were growing up — motocross, fishing, trap shooting and golfing. He enjoyed 50 years of golf with his brother and cousins and had many laughs about their aches and pains as they grew older. He adored his 14-month-old grandson Levi but was unable to spend as much time with him as he would have liked due to his illness.

Charlie is survived by his loving and caring wife, Janet Stavana Soda, whom he married on Sept. 10, 1988; two sons, Jonathan (Emily) Soda of Gilroy, California, and Jesse Soda of Denver, Colorado; grandson, Levi Soda of Gilroy, California; sister, Jessica Pegg of Niles; brother, Steve Soda of Niles; father- and mother-in-law, William and Lois Stavana of Cortland; two sisters-in-law, Deb Thoren of Austintown and Denise (Joe) Cera of Niles; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and his beloved fur babies, Star, Zoey and Kirby.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joe Soda Sr.; and sister, Susan M. Junkins.

Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, at the Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at Saint Pope John XXIII- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. The Rev. Bala Marneni will be the celebrant.

The family wants to thank the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital Oncology and Radiation Oncology departments, Hospice of the Valley and Hospice House in Poland for their kind and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County or Hospice of the Valley.

Visit holetonyuhasz.com to view this tribute and share condolences.

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