Cletus A. Sisley

LANCASTER – Cletus A. "Si" Sisley, age 96, died Sunday, October 31, 2021, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, WI. He was born on January 16, 1925, in Ellenboro, the son of Simon and Daisy (Dobson) Sisley. Si attended several country schools in Grant County and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1943. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force during Word War II. Si was stationed in England with the Mighty Eighth 445 Bomb Group in a B24 with the 703rd Bomb Squadron. He was shot down on a mission over Germany and ended up being a Prisoner of War until the war ended in 1945. Returning home, Si was united in marriage to Ruth I. Vesperman on June 12, 1948, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Cletus worked with Harris Auto Supply until starting a partnership with Joe Turner at the Texaco Station in Lancaster. After selling the business, Si worked with Bailey Oil Company for 42 years until his retirement.
He is survived by two sons: Jeffrey (Lorelea) Sisley, Platteville; Steven (Marsha) Sisley, Lancaster; two grandchildren: Shanon (Barry) Mergen and Shawn Sisley, all of Lancaster; four great-grandchildren: Brandon Mergen, Louisville, KY; Abigail Mergen, Alison, and Ashton Sisley all of Lancaster; sister-in-law, Stella Blair, and brothers-in-law: Archie Vesperman and Lyle Vesperman; many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Si was preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Ruth; sisters: Cleone (Burnell) Edge, Beverly (CB) Cox; brothers: Robert (Wilma) Sisley, Stan (Myra) Sisley; brothers-in-law: Clarion Vesperman and Percy (Jessie) Vesperman; sisters-in-law: Marion (Bob) Welsh, Elsie (Dale) Bryhan, Hazel (Joe) Straka, and Bernice (Mike) Moran.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster with Reverend Mark Dieter officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends may call on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials will be gifted to the Lancaster VFW Post No. 2344 and/or the Lancaster D.A.V Chapter 40.