1920
Clifford
2017
Clifford Pittsley
March 8, 1920 — August 23, 2017
Clifford Pittsley will be remembered as a quiet, gentle man who always had a smile and a kind word to share. No matter whom he met, it was easy becoming Cliff’s friend.
He was born March 8, 1920 in Wausau to the late Vernon and Emily (Gaetzman) Pittsley. As a young man growing up during the Depression, Cliff worked in the Civil Conservation Corp. On August 24, 1940, he married Viola Wirt at Salem Lutheran Church, Wausau. They were raising their daughter, Karen when Cliff was drafted during WWII. He was a Seaman 1st Class in the U.S. Navy operating transport ships in the Pacific Theatre. Upon returning from service, Cliff and Viola had a son, Douglas. While raising their family, Cliff worked as a foreman for Underwood Veneer and later as a custodian for the Wausau School District until his retirement in 1985.
He and Viola enjoyed watching the Brewers and Cliff could never pass up going to the circus or the county fair. Cliff and Viola were members of Salem Lutheran Church with Cliff having served on the church council and as the financial secretary. He was a Life Member of VFW Burns Post #388 and traveled to Washington, D.C. on Wausau’s first Honor Flight.
On Wednesday, August 23, 2017, Cliff was called home to be with his Lord. At the age of 97, he passed away at Rennes Health and Rehabilitation Center, with family by his side.
Survivors include his son, Douglas (Kim), daughter, Karen, all of Wausau, two grandsons, Brian (Emily) of McFarland, Logan of Chicago, brother-in-law, Midge Lenzen of Woodruff, sister-in-law, Phyllis Wirt of Fayetteville, AR and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was further preceded in death by his wife, Viola, granddaughter, Caitlin, sister, Betty Ann Bolton and two brothers, Eugene and David.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 1, 2017 at Salem Lutheran Church, 2822 N. 6th St., Wausau with Reverend Jeff Mahnke officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
He was born March 8, 1920 in Wausau to the late Vernon and Emily (Gaetzman) Pittsley. As a young man growing up during the Depression, Cliff worked in the Civil Conservation Corp. On August 24, 1940, he married Viola Wirt at Salem Lutheran Church, Wausau. They were raising their daughter, Karen when Cliff was drafted during WWII. He was a Seaman 1st Class in the U.S. Navy operating transport ships in the Pacific Theatre. Upon returning from service, Cliff and Viola had a son, Douglas. While raising their family, Cliff worked as a foreman for Underwood Veneer and later as a custodian for the Wausau School District until his retirement in 1985.
He and Viola enjoyed watching the Brewers and Cliff could never pass up going to the circus or the county fair. Cliff and Viola were members of Salem Lutheran Church with Cliff having served on the church council and as the financial secretary. He was a Life Member of VFW Burns Post #388 and traveled to Washington, D.C. on Wausau’s first Honor Flight.
On Wednesday, August 23, 2017, Cliff was called home to be with his Lord. At the age of 97, he passed away at Rennes Health and Rehabilitation Center, with family by his side.
Survivors include his son, Douglas (Kim), daughter, Karen, all of Wausau, two grandsons, Brian (Emily) of McFarland, Logan of Chicago, brother-in-law, Midge Lenzen of Woodruff, sister-in-law, Phyllis Wirt of Fayetteville, AR and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was further preceded in death by his wife, Viola, granddaughter, Caitlin, sister, Betty Ann Bolton and two brothers, Eugene and David.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 1, 2017 at Salem Lutheran Church, 2822 N. 6th St., Wausau with Reverend Jeff Mahnke officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau and again on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.
Visitation
Helke Funeral Home and Cremation Services302 Spruce Street
Wausau, WI 54401
Thursday, August 31, 2017
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Service
Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church2822 N. 6th Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Friday, September 1, 2017
11:00 AM
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