"Uncle Ozzie" Clifford R. Banks, Jr. 82, of Portage, passed away of natural causes, non-covid related peacefully Saturday, November 27, 2021, at his home. He was born January 26, 1939, on the family farm in Waushara County, son of Clifford R. Sr. and Effie (Nigh) Banks.
Cliff grew up attending Plainfield Schools and then attended Waushara Community College from 1956 to 1959. He was united in marriage to Joanne Keup from 1960 to 1983, Alice Banks from 1985 to 1992 and Shirley Stibb on July 3, 1998. Cliff taught all eight grades at one time or another at a school outside of Ripon; he worked at Adams County State Bank as a loan teller for six years. Cliff also held many sales positions throughout the years at selling flooring, furniture, cars and RVs; eventually retiring from Carpet Land in Madison.
His true passion was playing Polka music and entertaining his fans as "Uncle Ozzie" for many, many years. His journey started as a young teenager in his father's band, Cliff Banks & the Sunset Ramblers, where he learned how to play trumpet, trombone and rhythm guitar. He was influenced by the style of music by "Cousin Fuzzy." While entertaining, he traveled all over the country, promoting bus trips to Branson, Memphis, Nashville and other parts of the United States. They traveled to a total of 17 states while playing music for festivals, dances and weddings and during this time five albums were recorded. He also had a radio show out of Poynette in the 1980's. He also enjoyed wintering in Arizona with his wife Shirley for many winters and spending time with his step grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Rebecca "Rosie" Werner; brother-in-law Jack Werner and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Interment at Plainfield Cemetery.
Grasse Funeral Home
Cliff grew up attending Plainfield Schools and then attended Waushara Community College from 1956 to 1959. He was united in marriage to Joanne Keup from 1960 to 1983, Alice Banks from 1985 to 1992 and Shirley Stibb on July 3, 1998. Cliff taught all eight grades at one time or another at a school outside of Ripon; he worked at Adams County State Bank as a loan teller for six years. Cliff also held many sales positions throughout the years at selling flooring, furniture, cars and RVs; eventually retiring from Carpet Land in Madison.
His true passion was playing Polka music and entertaining his fans as "Uncle Ozzie" for many, many years. His journey started as a young teenager in his father's band, Cliff Banks & the Sunset Ramblers, where he learned how to play trumpet, trombone and rhythm guitar. He was influenced by the style of music by "Cousin Fuzzy." While entertaining, he traveled all over the country, promoting bus trips to Branson, Memphis, Nashville and other parts of the United States. They traveled to a total of 17 states while playing music for festivals, dances and weddings and during this time five albums were recorded. He also had a radio show out of Poynette in the 1980's. He also enjoyed wintering in Arizona with his wife Shirley for many winters and spending time with his step grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Rebecca "Rosie" Werner; brother-in-law Jack Werner and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Interment at Plainfield Cemetery.
Grasse Funeral Home
"Uncle Ozzie" Clifford R. Banks, Jr. 82, of Portage, passed away of natural causes, non-covid related peacefully Saturday, November 27, 2021, at his home. He was born January 26, 1939, on the family farm in Waushara County, son of Clifford R. Sr. and Effie (Nigh) Banks.
Cliff grew up attending Plainfield Schools and then attended Waushara Community College from 1956 to 1959. He was united in marriage to Joanne Keup from 1960 to 1983, Alice Banks from 1985 to 1992 and Shirley Stibb on July 3, 1998. Cliff taught all eight grades at one time or another at a school outside of Ripon; he worked at Adams County State Bank as a loan teller for six years. Cliff also held many sales positions throughout the years at selling flooring, furniture, cars and RVs; eventually retiring from Carpet Land in Madison.
His true passion was playing Polka music and entertaining his fans as "Uncle Ozzie" for many, many years. His journey started as a young teenager in his father's band, Cliff Banks & the Sunset Ramblers, where he learned how to play trumpet, trombone and rhythm guitar. He was influenced by the style of music by "Cousin Fuzzy." While entertaining, he traveled all over the country, promoting bus trips to Branson, Memphis, Nashville and other parts of the United States. They traveled to a total of 17 states while playing music for festivals, dances and weddings and during this time five albums were recorded. He also had a radio show out of Poynette in the 1980's. He also enjoyed wintering in Arizona with his wife Shirley for many winters and spending time with his step grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Rebecca "Rosie" Werner; brother-in-law Jack Werner and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Interment at Plainfield Cemetery.
Grasse Funeral Home
Cliff grew up attending Plainfield Schools and then attended Waushara Community College from 1956 to 1959. He was united in marriage to Joanne Keup from 1960 to 1983, Alice Banks from 1985 to 1992 and Shirley Stibb on July 3, 1998. Cliff taught all eight grades at one time or another at a school outside of Ripon; he worked at Adams County State Bank as a loan teller for six years. Cliff also held many sales positions throughout the years at selling flooring, furniture, cars and RVs; eventually retiring from Carpet Land in Madison.
His true passion was playing Polka music and entertaining his fans as "Uncle Ozzie" for many, many years. His journey started as a young teenager in his father's band, Cliff Banks & the Sunset Ramblers, where he learned how to play trumpet, trombone and rhythm guitar. He was influenced by the style of music by "Cousin Fuzzy." While entertaining, he traveled all over the country, promoting bus trips to Branson, Memphis, Nashville and other parts of the United States. They traveled to a total of 17 states while playing music for festivals, dances and weddings and during this time five albums were recorded. He also had a radio show out of Poynette in the 1980's. He also enjoyed wintering in Arizona with his wife Shirley for many winters and spending time with his step grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Rebecca "Rosie" Werner; brother-in-law Jack Werner and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Interment at Plainfield Cemetery.
Grasse Funeral Home
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