Ron Ziebarth
by AMY WOOTEN
Many members of the Chicago LGBT nightlife community were rocked by the sudden, tragic news regarding the death of a popular bartender.
Ron Ziebarth, 52, was found dead Sept. 23. Ziebarth committed suicide, and the news shocked many people. He was a popular bartender, and well-known in the gay and lesbian community.
For over 25 years, Ziebarth served drinks at local establishments such as Berlin, Roscoe's, North End, Sidetrack, T's, SoFo and others. Ziebarth left the area in June to be with his family in Michigan ( his father passed away last year and his mother was ill ) , but had recently moved back to Chicago.
According to friends, Ziebarth originally came to Chicago from his hometown, Detroit, in the '80s in order to support his brother during his battle with HIV/AIDS.
Many closest to Ziebarth remember his smile, as well as the friendship he served up with drinks while bartending.
'Ron smiled with his eyes and laughed with his heart,' said friend Elizabeth McKnight. 'He was like an orchestral conductor in social situations. If Ron was in the midst of a group of strangers, you all left as friends by the end of the evening. Everyone should play 'Six Degrees of Ron Ziebarth.' You will find many cherished relationships that point back to Ron!'
Mary Lou Polcyn of the staff of Chicago Beverage Systems said, 'Ron was a wonderful and caring man—he always had a kind word and a big, beautiful smile for everyone. We will all miss the warmth he brought to his friends and customers.'
Test Positive Aware Network Executive Director Rick Bejlovec was friends with Ziebarth for many years.
'He was the type of person who would tell you what he thought,' Bejlovec said. 'He wouldn't mince words. He had a great sense of humor. For lack of a better term, he was ballsy.'
According to Bejlovec, Ziebarth had spoken to him about occassional bouts of depression, but everyone thought he was fine. When he returned to Chicago, Ziebarth kept a low profile.
'I don't think any of us will ever know what happened,' Bejlovec said. 'We were surprised because Ron was always one of those people who burned very brightly.
'He should be remembered for the person he was, and not how he left us.'
Ziebarth is survived by his mother, two sisters, two brothers, nieces, nephews and two pets ( Preston and Big Boy ) , according to The Chicago Tribune.
A service for Ziebarth will take place Thursday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m., at Unity Church, 1925 W. Thome. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Equality Illinois ( www.EQIL.org ) and Test Positive Aware Network ( www.TPAN.com ) .
Douglas L. Jones
Douglas L. Jones passed away Sept. 17 after a brief illness. He was 57.
Jones enjoyed a long career in retail sales, most recently as a retail sales manager at the Marshall's at 1834 W. Fullerton. He had previously worked as a visual merchandiser at Carson Pirie Scott on State Street and also Saks Fifth Avenue and the Gap.
He is survived by his brother, Thomas Jones; his dearest friends, Kirk Demers of Los Angeles and Christopher Roy and Ralph Povlitz of Chicago; and many other friends and colleagues.
Friends are gathering to celebrate Douglas Jones' life Saturday, Oct. 4, 3:30-7:30 p.m., at Bobby Love's, 3729 N. Halsted.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to Chicago House, Attn: Michael Herman, 1925 N. Clybourn, Suite 401, Chicago, Ill., 60614-4946. Another alternative is the Children's Place Association; call 773-826-1230 or visit www.childrens-place.org .
Ken Jacobsen, Jr.
Longtime LGBT community activist Ken Jacobsen Jr. passed away Sept. 27.
According to a recent Chicago Tribune article, Jacobsen was diagnosed last January with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Jacobsen served as a member of the Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian Issues ( ACGLI ) of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, and founded a former Northwest Side gay and lesbian association. In the late '80s, he helped fight for the Chicago Human Rights Ordinance, which passed in 1988. He was also very involved in the local leather community.
Activist Darrell Gordon was one of Jacobsen's best friends. He said that in addition to being dedicated to the local community, Jacobsen was clever and had a terrific sense of humor.
'He always was a fighter for what was fair, whether it was his work in queer politics or grassroots community work or his involvement in the leather community,' Gordon said.
I was proud to know Ken, whose work personified what the Washington administration was about—the inclusion of everyone, from everywhere, in the decision-making processes of government, and the goal of fairness for all,' said activist Kit Duffy.
A visitation was held Sept. 29 at Cooney Funeral Home, 3918 W. Irving Park. A funeral took place Sept. 30 at the same location.
