Clifford
Walter Trisler, 98, passed away Sunday, Dec. 27th, 2009, at the
Barnsdall Nursing Home. Mass of
the Resurrection will be held on December 30th at Immaculate
Conception Catholic Church in Pawhuska.
Father Chris Daigle officiated.
Cliff was born Oct 21st, 1911 at Wyandotte, OK to Charley Elmer Trisler & Eva Crippin Trisler.
He & his family moved to Bigheart – Barnsdall in 1912, by way of covered wagon. Cliff’s mother died in 1920 which left him on his own at the age of nine. He lived with his sister and other families that
would take him in as he continued to attend school.
Cliff was befriended by his history teacher who taught him a few banjo chords. He purchased his first banjo for $3.50 paying for it by selling scrap metal, junk and bottles. Cliff began to play at dances and saved enough money to by his favorite fiddle for $25.00 which he played until his death. This fiddle was made in Germany and is now 117 years old.
Music and family were Cliff’s life. He won over 100 fiddle contests and could not read a note of music. He played in many bands, on the radio, at political events and jammed with Bob Wills. Cliff’s band worked summers at Silver Dollar City and his music is in the archives in Washington DC.
Cliff married Agnes Marie Gleason in 1931 and raised four daughters. He was employed at Bareco in Barnsdall where he retired after 40 years.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two sisters, one daughter – Mary Frances Butler, three sons-in-law, two grandsons and one great-grandson.
He is survived by his daughters Patsy Walker and husband Bob, Eva Charolette Smith and Alana Trisler; Eight grand children, 17 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.
Casket bearers were Joe Sweeden, Bruce Smith, Brad Smith, Bryan Smith, Jim Butler and Cody Duckwall. Interment is at the Ethel Reece Cemetery in Barnsdall.
Memorials may be made to: St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Attn: Janie Rice, 7416 CR 2420, Barnsdall, OK 74002.
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