Meet Our Staff - Sun City, Lake Elsinore & Perris, CA

Justin P. Luyben

Managing Partner

Justin is originally from Long Beach, California, where he graduated from Lakewood High School. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from California State University, Fullerton, and he is a licensed funeral director and pre-need counselor in the state of California.

Justin was born into the funeral business and is a third generation funeral director. As far back as he can remember, he was helping his grandpa at their family run mortuary located in Long Beach, California, doing everything from cleaning the cars, emptying trash cans and vacuuming the carpets, to eventually working funerals. After years of helping out in the family business, he was finally put on payroll at the age of 15. He continued working there for the next eight years while finishing high school and college.

After completing college, Justin moved with his family to the inland empire in 2002 and has been working at Evans-Brown Mortuary since then. As Justin has learned, life has a sense of humor. He worked at the family mortuary to put himself through college, and the whole time, his plan was to graduate and start a career in something other than the funeral business. However, after graduation, he came to the realization that the funeral business was where he was meant to be. What he enjoys most in his job is helping people at a very sensitive point in their lives. Through this ministry, he has really met some incredible people. For Justin, being a funeral director is fulfilling both personally and professionally.

Justin is married and has six children.  Outside of work, he enjoys staying active hiking, biking, and watching his kids sporting events. Justin and his wife are involved in their community and church where they enjoy meeting new people. 

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Veronica Dykstra

Managing Partner ~ Evans-Brown Lake Elsinore

Veronica Dykstra was born in Mexico and raised here local in Canyon Lake, California and graduated from Temescal Canyon High in Lake Elsinore, California. She attended Mt. San Jacinto Community College right out of high school where she received her EMT license while going through the Firefighter academy. After graduating top in her class in the academy she went on to become an EMT Firefighter for three years here in Sun City, California with CDF Fire which is now known as Cal Fire. At the end of 2009 after being a stay at home mother for 8 years Veronica applied to a local family owned funeral home and was hired as a part time secretary and spanish translator. Within the year she became a Full time Funeral Arranger then went on to become a Manager for a corporate funeral home company out of San Diego County where she not only managed multiple locations but also became a Certified Crematory Operator and Crematory Manager. In November of 2020, Veronica joined Evans-Brown Mortuary family as a Manager.

Veronica’s extensive knowledge and experience not to mention passion for helping families has been beneficial to Evans-Brown and Hemet Valley Mortuary. She currently lives in Menifee, California with her four kids and one grandson and is a faithful member of Revival Christian Fellowship located in Menifee, California. She loves being active in charity events out of San Diego County to Orange county and the Los Angeles area as well as here local in the surrounding counties. Her passion for cooking and entertaining family and friends keeps her home full of loved ones on a regular basis. Veronica believes every family that walks through our doors are to be treated as her own. Building genuine relationships with her families and the communities we serve is her passion. “I truly feel this career path is and has been a ministry to me”

Telephone: 1-951-674-3141

Email: 

Desiree Weimann

Location Manager and Funeral Director

Desiree was born and raised in Santee, Ca. a suburb in east San Diego County with her mother, father and 4 brothers.  She attended Santana High School excelling in athletics and academics. She was granted a basketball scholarship at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where she graduated with a B.A. in Sociology.

After college Desiree began her career with a large group home in Northern San Diego and then was offered a programs coordinator and grant writing position for the Indian Health Council Inc. This is federal agency that provides medical, dental and mental health services to the Northern San Diego Indian tribes.  After eight years of being entrenched in the tribal communities a life event would dictate a radical career change.

In 2006, with the intention of gaining necessary experience to join the Riverside County Coroners she began her mortuary career as an apprentice embalmer with Miller Jones Mortuary. Desiree within a years time began to move up the ranks to a cremationist, then funeral director and within 4 years she eventually became the Operations Manager of one of the largest care facilities in Riverside County. Within that first year it became clear as to what her true calling was. 

During another difficult life change in 2016 Desiree received a call from Managing Partner, Justin Luyben offering an opportunity to join the Evans Brown team.  She didn't hesitate. Knowing the reputation and integrity of the Evans Brown family, she knew this is where she was meant to be.

Gary Travis

Embalmer and Funeral Director

Gary was born in Fontana, California during “the most wonderful time of the year,” Christmas. He grew up in a little town called Bloomington with his two sisters and attended schools there from elementary to high school eventually graduating from a private Christian school in Colton. Throughout his teenage years, Gary was very active with his horses and belonged to different horse clubs. A venue he says that kept him sane during his hectic teenage life. In 1981, he met Linda and they married in July 1983. They have two children, Bethany and Josiah. During the early years of marriage and trying to help raise two kids, Gary attended college off and on. In 1989, he began training for a career that would change his life forever. He attended Cypress Community College and was enrolled in the Mortuary Science Program, graduating in December 1990. He began working right out of college in the funeral industry with a firm in Riverside. Gary continued on with college and received his Associate of Science Degree in Mortuary Science in 1995.

During his 30+ years of experience, Gary has become a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, a Notary Public and has been involved in different organizations such as Orange Belt Funeral Directors Association, becoming President in 2003, a Board of Directors member for Riverside Chamber of Commerce and Yucaipa Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Yucaipa Kiwanis Club.  

In September 2010, Gary came to work for Evans-Brown Mortuary. “Working here allows me the opportunity to continue doing what I absolutely love to do, helping people through one of the most difficult times in their lives. It’s a very rewarding and satisfying experience.” Outside of work, Gary also likes to spend time with his family and friends and traveling to the local mountains to hike or just to relax.  “Life should not be taken for granted considering who gave it to us. We should live everyday like it was our last. Have fun and laugh. We only get one chance at it.”

Danette M. Moore

Funeral Director

Danette M. Moore was born in Los Angeles, California. Her family relocated to Perris, California in the mid-1980's. Danette is a graduate of Rancho Verde High School, which is located in Moreno Valley, California. She continued her education at Cypress Community College and completed the Mortuary Science Program.

She is a passionate Funeral Service provider, always striving to exceed the expectations of the families she is privileged to serve. Her professional experience includes more than 20 years of hard work and dedication to the profession. Her licensing includes Funeral Director (FDR# 2850), Embalmer (EMB# 8828) and Insurance Agent (Lic.# 0K10380). Her motto is “Serving families with honor, dignity and respect."

She brings a wealth of knowledge to the Evans-Brown & Hemet Valley Mortuaries. Danette is very active in the growth of her community and profession. 

Danette and her husband, Kevin married in 2008. They have three wonderful children, Jalen, Nya and Bryce.  Danette is a faithful member of Greater New Hope Christian Church located in Perris, California. She also enjoys, cooking, listing to music and spending time with those she loves. 

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget
how you made them feel.” 
                                              - Maya Angelou

Joe Smolinski

Funeral Director

Joseph grew up in Cypress, California. He was one of nine children, graduated from Cypress High School and Cypress College.  Joe started his career in the funeral profession back in 1994, as a licensed pre-need counselor and received his funeral director’s license a few years later.  He has always felt this profession chose him; it was his calling and ministry.  It’s an honor to help families during their most difficult times.  Joe has always felt that it was important to give back to his community, by being involved with many different organizations. Past President of the Menifee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, Member of the Rotary Club of Menifee and continues to volunteer for many community events annually. Joe has lived and worked in this community since 1994.  In his free time, he and his wife Karen enjoy visiting many of the premier wineries that the State of California & Portugal has to offer, adding to their collection of many fine wines.  They also enjoy the outdoors and traveling. Joe also enjoys spending time with their son Kyle, family and friends.  

Stephanie Waer

Funeral Arranger

Stephanie was born in Los Angeles, California.  At a young age she moved to the Inland Empire with her family. While attending high school, Stephanie enjoyed being involved with different groups such as Leo Club, FFA, Dance, Theater, and hip hop dance.

After high school Stephanie pursued the Cosmetology industry wherein she attended Marinello and graduated in 2012.  Over time she wanted to do more and started working at a Rehabilitation Center where she began to care for the elderly.  She has been in the customer service field since. Stephanie grew a passion for helping others and wanted to extend her warmth and compassion especially in their time of need.

Stephanie found her calling when she started working at Evans Brown Mortuary.  She started off as a Service Director, but quickly grew into her current position as a Funeral Arranger. “Helping our families, guiding them during these painful milestones in their lives is a different type of reward you feel in your heart.”

Jo Ann O'Neal

Administrative Assistant

Jo Ann O’Neal was born in Bangkok, Thailand.  She moved to Brea, California at the age of 2. Her father was in the military and served in the Army. She has lived in Southern California most of her life with a brief stint in Southern Utah where she graduated High School. Jo Ann is newly and happily married to her best friend Robert. Between them they have 6 young adults.

In her spare time she loves to do crafts, bake, read, listen to music and of course she loves to go on motorcycle rides with her husband. The world is a beautiful place - if everyone would just open their eyes and just see what God created.

Jo Ann is also new to Evans Brown and to the industry. She is enjoying her new role with the Evans Brown team who are like family. This team of individuals are so caring and compassionate to the people around them. Through her eyes, she sees how they give special care to the families and the loved ones they serve. It is so wonderful to be part of a team of people like these are.

Diego Villalpando

Crematory Operator

Diego Villalpando was born in raised in Santa Ana, California alongside his three Brothers, becoming the first-generation Americans in their family. Diego went on to graduate from Rancho Verde High school located in Moreno Valley, California.

Faith and family have been at the forefront of Diego's beliefs and he applies that same dedication to all of our families we service. Family’s needs always come first and there is no favor too small or task to large that Diego wouldn't happily assist our team with accomplishing.  

Having worked three years of transportation for our mortuary, Diego officially Joined the Evans Brown family in June, 2019 . Now State certified he works and manages our very own crematorium. 

Robert Hawkes

Crematory Operator

Linda Travis

General Maintenance

Armand Blais

Pre-Arrangement Specialist

Armand joined the funeral industry in 1982, and has helped many families since then.  To be able to educate and give families an option to take care of their funeral arrangements ahead of time and take the burden off their loved ones is a great privilege.  As Armand always says, “it is always better to have the information and not need it, then to need it and not have it!”

Armand is very involved in his community as the Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, The Lions Club, and Past President of the Sun City Civic Association (SCCA).

Armand has a passion for music.  He is a trombone artist and Leader of an 18-piece Big Band.  He also has enjoys deep-sea fishing.  Armand is always available to help your family.

Mark Holmes

Pre-arrangement Specialist

Roy Ray

Service Director

Jack McCullough

Service Director

Todd Snow

Service Director

Milo

Emotional Support Doggo

Our esteemed colleague is currently on administrative leave due to stealing desserts during a reception. 

Since his birth in 2018, Milo Luyben has had a passion for helping others and always being there for his family. In 2022, he decided to take his skills to the professional setting and offer his help where it was needed most. He began employment at Evans Brown Mortuary after his graduation from animal-assisted education and training school, where he learned how to be an emotional support K-9 to help those in need during difficult times and experiencing stressful life events. Milo’s dedication and hard work is exceptional and has quickly become a role model to all who work with him.

Milo loves his family and enjoys playing with his two siblings; Oliver and Alfie.  On his time away from work Milo enjoys long walks (no running), taking long naps, eating beef flavored dog treats and occasionally sneaking a slice of pizza when his parents aren’t looking.