Howard Andrew Weyker

Howard Andrew Weyker, 84, of Sebastopol, Calif., passed away peacefully on Nov. 27 surrounded by family.

A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, nephew and cousin, Howard, or “Papa,” was a shining light for all who knew him and will always be remembered for his compassion, patience and generosity with family, friends and the communities in which he lived.

Born on Jan. 26, 1940, in Sheboygan, Wis., Howard was the middle son of Sylvester F. and Eleanor (Schmitz) Weyker and grew up with his brothers Sylvester and James along with numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins. He enjoyed all the outdoor activities that a country boy could love, growing up within the farmlands of eastern Wisconsin along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.

After graduating from Port Washington High School in 1957, Howard started college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, then completed his education in veterinarian medicine at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where he met his wife Joycelyn Ann Frank. They married on May 4, 1963, and celebrated 61 years of marriage.

The two would journey west to Southern California, where Howard fulfilled his Army service obligations, then established a veterinary practice that focused on small animals while raising his family in Cypress, Calif.

In 1981, Howard, a country boy at heart, relocated the family to a rural area in Sonoma County, where he would do relief work for other veterinarians in the area and would later graciously provide weekday care for his grandchildren while Joycelyn practiced law. He would tend to the daily chores on the small apple ranch, walk the west county roads to morning Mass, support various charitable organizations with his time and resources and proudly support his grandchildren’s academic achievements, sporting events and dance recitals.  He maintained a strong life-long network of cherished friends who he adored.

Howard is survived by his wife Joycelyn; children Elin Marovich (Mitch), Erin Pigg (Jim) and Erik Weyker (Shirley); grandchildren Lucas (Sonia) and Jacob Marovich, Domenic and Gianna Grillo and Jacquelyn Weyker; and great-granddaughters Cameron and Charlie Marovich.  Additionally, Howard is survived by his younger brother Father James Weyker, sister-in-law Anne Weyker, aunt Bernie Schmitz, aunt Mary Jane Fechter, aunt Jeanette Schmitz and numerous beloved cousins nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his older brother Sylvester N. Weyker.

A service to celebrate Howard’s life will be held on Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Occidental, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Food for Thought Food Bank or Redwood Empire Food Bank, two of the many organizations that Howard supported in Sonoma County.