Andrew Veleber, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was born in Garfield, N.J. on Aug. 3, 1915. Dad went to be with his Lord and Savior, passing away peacefully at his home on Whidbey Island on Sept. 5, 2010 shortly after his 95th birthday.

“Andy” graduated from Garfield High School and worked for Manhattan Rubber Co. until joining the Army in June of 1941. He proudly served his country as a sergeant, and was eventually stationed in Seattle serving with a barrage balloon battalion.

He met his future wife, Eleanor, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Seattle. There they were wed on April 4, 1943.

After the war, he worked as a private landscaper until being hired by a private individual to maintain the Northwest Industrial Buildings in Seattle as a steam engineer. He also cared for his employer’s private estate in the Richmond Highlands.

He was an active member of Beacon Lutheran Church ,where he served long-term as an usher and financial secretary among other offices. He also sang in the choir and played on the church’s league fastpitch softball and bowling teams.

He retired, and the couple moved into their new home on Whidbey Island in 1980, where he continued his love of gardening, caring for his roses and fruit trees and doing his daily crossword puzzles.

Andy and Eleanor also enjoyed traveling. They visited the Holy Land, Scandinavia, Germany, Alaska, U.S. national parks and Slovakia, where he met with numerous family members.

Dad’s most lasting and meaningful legacy is his family. In addition to his loving wife, Eleanor, of 67 years, he is survived by his daughter Dorothy (Les) Thorsen, John (Joann) Veleber and Bob Ve1eber; seven grandchildren: Sheryl Thorsen, Anne-Marie (David) Bruce, Margo (Andrew) Peterson, Jamie (Aaron) Calhoun, Jeremy (Jennifer) Ve1eber, Joseph Veleber and Nicholas Veleber. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren: Brooke and Brynn Peterson, Noah and Sam Calhoun and Molly and Cole Ve1ebet.

A celebration of his life was held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Maltby on Saturday, Sept. 11. Graveside services will be held at Pacific Lutheran Washelli Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial donations in his remembrance may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Maltby and The Lutheran Hour, and the Home Health Care & Hospice of Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville.