In Memoriam: Green Party of Lake County, Illinois Announces Passing of Chairman Ethan Winnett

Dear Fellow Greens:

   It is with heavy hearts today that we announce the sad and untimely passing of Ethan Winnett (a/k/a Ethan Windmillsky), who served as the interim chairman of our Lake County chapter since the mid-2010s.
     Ethan August Winnett was 38 years old.

   Ethan was a dedicated chairman, keeping the chapter open and populated through difficult years of low attendance, and drawing more people into the chapter and party.

     He was a busy activist, assisting the Waukegan area; including through preparing free meals for the homeless (despite struggling on-and-off with homelessness himself), and with neighborhood trash clean-up, and community gardening.

     He was also a veteran of the United States Army, and a tireless advocate for veterans’ rights, and for achieving peace worldwide.

 

     Ethan’s penchant for poetry, his love of music, and his fun-loving attitude touched the lives of everyone around him, and helped keep us in good spirits. His outspoken nature and his righteous indignation at the powers-that-be helped inspire us and guide us through years of oppression and antagonism. And for that, he will be sorely missed, and not soon forgotten.

     He is survived by his mother Lana; his sister Elanna, and was preceded in death by his father and hero, Buddy Winnett, Sr., who passed in 2019.

     As a lover of science and technology, Ethan was not religiously observant; so in his memory - in lieu of prayers - mourners are encouraged to do the things that Ethan loved; singing songs, sharing poetry, doing something to be close to nature (such as planting a tree), eating Ethan's favorite food (jap-chae / jap-che), or simply reminding someone they care about that they love them.

     Anyone wishing to be kept updated about memorial services should contact Ethan's sister Ela (by e-mailing earth2ela@gmail.com).

     Anyone wishing to make a donation in Ethan's memory can contact Clean Power Lake County, or the Green Party of Illinois.

     In solidarity,

 

Green Party Co-Chair Anna Schiefelbein

and

Joseph W. Kopsick

Ethan August Winnett

(January 31st, 1985 - October 19th, 2023)

Post-Script:

     [Caution: The following information, and articles, contain information which may be upsetting to sensitive and grieving readers.]

     The official cause of Mr. Winnett's death was provided, by the Lake County Coroner's Office, as smoke inhalation.

     Readers wishing to learn more regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr. Winnett's death can click on the following links to read articles.

     http://www.arlingtoncardinal.com/2023/10/man-found-dead-in-apartment-house-fire-on-grand-ave-waukegan/

     http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/ct-lns-fatal-waukegan-fire-st-1021-20231020-fpyys2b64rfyfgy2petocw6lly-story.html

     http://www.firemapchicago.net/2023/10/fatal-fire-at-apartment-house-on-grand.html

     http://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/10/19/firefighters-find-man-dead-rescue-2nd-victim-after-fire-breaks-out-in-apartment-building-in-waukegan/

Elanna Winnett contributed to the content and editing of this article.

Written and published on October 20th, 2023.

Originally published under the title
"Green Party of Lake County, Illinois Announces Passing of Interim Chairman Ethan Winnett".
Title changed several times since original publication.

Edited and expanded on October 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 31st, 2023.
Post-Script added on October 20th, 2023.

Photo added on October 22nd, 2023.
Two more photos added on November 3rd, 2023.

Edited on November 14th, 2023.