Ziskovsky, Arlston Joseph 'A.J.'

Arlston Joseph “A.J.” Ziskovsky, 84, of Toledo, Iowa, died Friday, June 18, 2010, from complications of diabetes. He died peacefully at home under the care of Iowa Hospice. Funeral services, with Masonic rites, will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 21, at Christ United Methodist Church Worship Center, 301 S. Broadway, Toledo. The Rev. Jan Ziskovsky will officiate. Paul Wieck, PGM, will present the Masonic service. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 tonight at the church.

Surviving are his wife, Marge; daughter, Jan (Rosemary) Ziskovsky of Cedar Rapids; brother-in-law, Wayne (Bonnie) DeMint, Fort Madison; sister-in-law, Betty Sue Strunk, Boynton Beach, Fla.; nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Hazel (Hobson) Ziskovsky; his son, David; his two brothers and their wives, Elmer (Hilda) and Cliff (Virginia) Ziskovsky; and his in-laws, Price and Gladys (Koontz) DeMint.

A.J. was born April 17, 1926, in Vining, Iowa. He graduated from Shueyville High School in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Air Corps and was honorably discharged in 1946. A.J. graduated from Coe College in 1949. His post graduate education was at Rutgers University School of Banking in 1978. His banking career began with two years at the Swisher Savings Bank and 30 years at the State Bank of Toledo, serving the last 10 years as its president.

A.J. was initiated a Mason in 1948 at White Marble Lodge No. 178, North Liberty. He demitted to Toledo Lodge No. 118, in 1963 and served as treasurer for 23 years until the Toledo Lodge consolidated with Hiram of Tyre Lodge in Tama. He belonged to the El Kahir Shrine Club.

Cedar Rapids Consistory Scottish Rite degrees were conferred May 20, 1965. A past president of the Tama County Scottish Rite Club, A.J. served as secretary-treasurer many years. He was initiated into the Order of Eastern Star Toledo Chapter No. 380 in 1966, served as Worthy Patron in 1968-1971 and was the companion of the Grand Marshal in 1970. He was the recipient of the Grand Cross of Color, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Iowa in 1980 for his service as treasurer when his daughter, Jan, was the Grand Worthy Advisor. The rank and decoration of Knight Commander was received in October 1983. He became grand treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in 1985. He served as trustee of Grand Charity Funds for three five-year appointments and named Past Grand Treasurer Emeritus. The Thirty-third degree, Inspector General Honorary of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry was conferred Dec. 4, 1999.

Community participation included secretary of the South Tama County Community School District from its organization in 1960 until 1977; past president of three Tama-Toledo organizations: the Country Club, Toastmasters Club and Lions Club; and president of the Tama-Toledo Civic Development Corporation that built a new medical center and brought new doctors to the community. He was a member of the former Otterbein United Methodist Church; he served as chair of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee after years of serving as church treasurer.

A.J. requests memorials be given to Camp Courageous of Iowa, 12007 190th St., Monticello, IA 52310-8060.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is handling the arrangements.