Karl D. Weikel

Karl Daniel Weikel of Tinicum Township (Pipersville), died on Friday, November 11, in Niland, California.  He was 30 years old.

Karl was born in Williamsville, New York, but grew up in Tinicum Township, Bucks County, graduating from Palisades High School in 2000. 

During his twelve years in the Palisades School District, Karl entertained many – on stage and off - and was a reliable source of laughter, inspiration, witty comebacks, and playful irreverence.  Karl won awards for his drawing and visual artistry, especially his original pen-and-ink creations which he humbly referred to as “Nothings.”  He was a staple in all Palisades musicals and dramatic productions, from PALMS through high school. 

Beyond using his gift for comedy to gain attention and notoriety, he also managed to entertain the sporting crowd by playing striker for Palisades High School’s soccer team all four years of his tenure.  He was a District XI champion in the 110 hurdles and a state qualifier three years running in that event.

He was a Rotary Exchange Student to Norway in the fall of 1999, where he attended high school, became adept at “DJ’ing,” and began composing electronic music.  He also played soccer for a semi-professional “futbol” team.  Upon his return to Pennsylvania from Norway, Karl published an independent-label CD of original trance-dance/electronic compositions, “Crazymaker,” under his DJ name of Ray Jookie.

Karl attended the Atlantic Acting School of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and was profoundly impacted by his personal experience of September 11, 2001.

Giving true meaning to the term “free spirit,” Karl was, at his core, a Traveler.  He reveled in moving from place to place, making music, creating art, and connecting with and learning from people of all walks of life and from many different backgrounds.  He loved listening to his friends – and after speaking with Karl for ten minutes or so, most people considered him a friend.  Karl never tired of engaging in challenging conversations on subjects ranging from the nature of reality to the latest episode of “Cops,” or simply playing around with his peculiar sense of humor or offering quirky, yet stunningly perceptive, perspectives on life.  His wit was beyond compare; his humor was devastatingly sarcastic, often off-color, yet never mean-spirited.  He could defuse intense situations with a spot-on imitation or a sleight-of-hand card trick leftover from his “magic” days of adolescence.  He hated confrontation.  He was a master mimic, amazing man, and brother to many.

Karl is survived by his parents, Karl C. and Lisa JG Weikel (nee Guerke), his brothers, Maximus (presently of Baltimore, MD) and Sage (at home), and Katie (presently of Baltimore, MD).  He is also survived by his grandparents, Frances and Joseph Wondoloski of Elysburg, PA, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends-who-were-family.  Karl will also be desperately missed by his beloved Sheila, Spartacus, Princess, Precious, and Gandalf.  

All who knew or loved Karl are invited to a gathering in his honor, which will be held at 

11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at

Tinicum Park
963 River Road 
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Doylestown Food Pantry (in support of either food or shelter), 470 Old Dublin Pike, Doylestown, PA 18901 or the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic, 595 West State Street, Doylestown, PA  18901.  Karl believed that food, shelter, and healthcare are fundamental rights to which we are all entitled.