Clifford Leo Nayback

1923 - 2016

Clifford Leo Nayback, age 92, of Rudyard, Michigan, died Monday, July 11, 2016, at Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan. Clifford was born September 11, 1923, on the family farm in Rudyard to Gust and Fanny (Valley) Nayback.
Clifford grew up in Rudyard where he graduated from high school. He entered the United States Army near the end of World War II and was stationed in Nuremburg, Germany during the War Trials. He returned home and married Anita Pricilla Litzner on June 28, 1947, at the Lutheran Church in St. Ignace and made Rudyard their home for most of their marriage. He worked at the Rudyard Co-operative Automotive Department for many years where he managed and delivered fuel and home heating oil in both the Rudyard and Pickford areas. He left that job and worked at Kincheloe Air Force as a mechanic for ten years until the base closed in 1978. He then worked in construction for Soo Gravel and Asphalt until he retired. As a side job during his working years and well into retirement, he would often be found in the woods, cutting firewood for his own home and to sell to people in the community.
Clifford was a life member of the English-Wallis VFW Post #4905 in Rudyard and a member of the St. James Lutheran Church in Rudyard. He was a charter member of the Rudyard-Pickford Coop Credit Union.
Clifford loved being outdoors in the woods usually cutting wood but also hunting deer.
Clifford is survived by his wife of 69 years, Anita, currently of Newberry, Michigan; sons, Roger (Jennifer) Nayback of Skandia, Michigan, and Steven (Shelley McCormick) Nayback of Newberry, Michigan; grandchildren, Brandy (Troy) Godfrey, Erik (Jillian) Nayback, Anthony (Angela) Nayback, Kenneth (Ashley) Nayback, and Heather (Keith) Nayback-Jordan; and great grandchildren, Austin, Macie, Shelby, Mikeal, Miah, Evan, Kenny, Anthony, Nevaeh, Dillon, and Logan. He is also survived by two brothers, Ruben Nayback of Rochester, Minnesota, and Carl (Shareen) Nayback of Rudyard; one sister, Bernice MacDonald of Pickford, Michigan; and sisters-in-law, Gladys Nayback and Beverly Nayback.
Clifford was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth Brian Nayback; brothers, Howard, Wilhart, Benhart, Edward, Wilford, Rudy, and Clarence Nayback; and by one sister, Gloria Nayback.
Services will be held Friday, July 15, at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford. Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 P.M. Pastor Matthew Lamb will conduct the service.
Burial will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.