Salem -Aloysius John Ziebert (A.J. or Jim) was born of Frank and Felicia Ziebert January, 1930 in Silverton, Oregon. He died June 8, 2009 in Salem, Oregon from heart failure
Dad’s life experiences molded him into the entertaining character he became. Raised on a homestead farm near Silver Creek Falls as one of ten children he found a sense of value and ethics. His education in a one room school was enough to launch him into adulthood.
The family migrated to the Gates, Oregon area and Dad found employment with his brothers in the lumber/logging industry. From Gates Dad was inducted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War 1951. He served as a military policeman at Fort Lawton, Washington until 1953.
Now a veteran, he returned to Gates again working in the logging arena. He married Leona Wagy in 1955 and moved to Salem where he essentially remained the rest of his life. This union produced three boys: Frank, Daniel, and Michael. He worked various jobs until finding his life’s calling in 1960 when he joined the Salem Police Department. Dad found an unusual partner when he became Salem and Oregon’s first (and then) only K9 master. His family never tired of listening to his stories of what he and K9 Sheik had accomplished the night before. This part of Dad’s life ended in divorce.
Dad started the next chapter in 1972 when he married Helen Ault and gained Tom, Melvin, and Susan as his kids. He medically retired from the Police Department in 1981. The rest of his life he spent perfecting his avocation as Jack-of-all-Trades. He could build a sand buggy, paint a car, wire and plumb a house, fix a broken toy (or heart), woodworking, creating cradles and tables, mastering video games, and was even getting a handle on operating the dang computer.
Dad is survived by his wife Helen and her children Melvin Fawver (Charlene) Roseburg, OR; Susan Sanders, Eugene, OR. His sons Frank Ziebert (Faye) Sandy, UT and Daniel Ziebert (Debbie), Turner, OR. His sisters, Matilda Greule, Sacramento, CA and Francis Holloway, Salem, OR. He also leaves 13 grand children, three great grand children, 1 great great grandchild and finally an untold number of nieces and nephews.
He is proceeded in death by his parents: Frank and Felicia Ziebert; ex-wife Leona Ziebert, sons: Michael Ziebert and Tom Fawver; daughter in law: Suzie Ziebert; brothers: Joseph, Tony, John, Albert Ziebert and sisters: Mary Ziebert, Barbara Williams, and Rose Hardin.
There will be a viewing at the Virgil Golden Funeral Service 605 Commercial St. Salem, OR on Saturday, June 13th from 1:00 to 6:00pm. The family will host a celebration of Jim’s life at his home on 1695 62nd Ave S.E. Salem after the viewing. Burial will be with full military honors at the Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 S.E Mount Scott Blvd. Portland, OR, on Tuesday June 16th at 1:30pm.