Obituary of Clifford E. Ziskovsky

Clifford E. Ziskovsky, age 85 of 2329 Cae Drive, Iowa City died peacefully Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2007, at the Coralville United Methodist Church, 806 13th Avenue, with the Reverend Doug Williams and the Reverend Jan Ziskovsky officiating. Immediately after the service a reception will be held at the church followed by graveside services at the Shueyville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service at 2720 Muscatine Avenue in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Clifford’s memory. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @www.gayandciha.com. Clifford Eugene Ziskovsky was born July 31, 1921, on a farm south of Shueyville, rural Johnson County, Iowa the son of Harry and Hazel (Hobson) Ziskovsky. He attended school in Shueyville and Clutier. During WWII Clifford served in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of Second Lieutenant before his discharge. On January 27, 1945, he married Virginia M. Gerot in Carlsbad, NM where he was stationed in the service. They returned to Iowa where they have resided in the Iowa City area since. After his marriage, Clifford began working as a life insurance representative for Banker’s Life, and at the age of 81, four years ago, retired from the company now named Principal Financial. He was a member of the Coralville United Methodist Church, Iowa City Masonic Lodge #4, and the American Legion in Swisher. Clifford in his early years enjoyed camping with his family and the occasional game of golf. He was most comfortable just tinkering around the house and yard, drinking coffee with his friends, or outside tossing the ball with neighborhood children. He was a gentle man with strong faith, and deep love for his family. His family includes his wife, Virginia; daughter Maureen Arensdorf and her husband, Nick of Coralville; son Thomas Clifford Ziskovsky and his wife, Kendra of Coralville, daughter Jean Manrique and her husband, Rafael of St. Paul, MN; grandchildren, Nicki Bernico, Richard Echternacht, Justin Echternacht, Andrew Manrique, and Ian Manrique; great-grandchildren, Crystal Schlote, Katie Bernico, Madeline Echternacht, Conner Echternacht, and Ethan Echternacht; and a brother, A.J. Ziskovsky and his wife, Marge of Toledo, IA. Clifford was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Elmer Ziskovsky and Elmer’s wife, Hilda. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Clifford’s family and arranging his services.