LAKEPORT – The body of a man reported missing since early Wednesday has been found, authorities confirmed over the weekend.
Sheriff Rod Mitchell told Lake County News Saturday that the body of Paul “Joe” Womachka of Nice was removed from the lake near Konocti Vista Casino on Friday.
The 39-year-old Womachka was reported missing Wednesday after he didn't return from an early morning taxi run.
Joe Womachka was extremely punctual, said Lucerne resident Michael Goetz, the father of Womachka's ex-wife, Erica. When he didn't show up early Wednesday, Goetz said, “We knew right away something was wrong.”
Womachka's body was found Friday in the Hey Taxi minivan he was last seen driving. Mitchell said next of kin were notified Friday.
As to what happened to Womachka, Mitchell said, “We aren't prepared to release any additional information right now.”
On Saturday Goetz was still stunned by the news of Womachka's death.
“I just can't believe that this happened,” he said.
Regarding what led to Womachka's death, Goetz said, “We really can't say at this point.”
Goetz called Womachka “the most caring, giving person in the world.”
He said people have called to tell him that Womachka often gave people rides and didn't charge them, and that he reached out to those who were in need.
The Womachkas moved to Lake County about four years ago from Coralville, Iowa, said Goetz, after they visited him here and fell in love with the area.
Joe Womachka was used to working for himself, having previously run a glass repair company, Goetz said.
Although the Womachkas had divorced about 10 years ago, before coming to the county, they continued to work together and share custody of their sons, ages 11, 13 and 17, said Goetz. “They get along better than a lot of people who are still married.”
Joe and Erica Womachka had been operating the Hey Taxi franchise in Lake County just over a year, said Goetz, with Erica driving days, Joe driving nights and Desiree McAlear filling in when needed.
In the time since the family had moved to Lake County, Goetz said he really got to know Joe Womachka, who was a writer and musician, playing the drums with his son and friends in a garage band.
“He just lived for his kids,” Goetz said, adding that Womachka coached two soccer teams for the Upper Lake schools where his sons attend.
The van Womachka's body was found in was the only one the local Hey Taxi had, said Goetz, which means that Erica Womachka and McAlear can't continue with the business and are out of work.
He added that his daughter “isn't inclined to drive taxi anymore ever again.”
The family plans to set up an account for Womachka's sons, said Goetz, but the specifics haven't been arranged yet.
Goetz said the family is waiting for the coroner's inquest before they can begin the process of arranging Womachka's services.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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