MILFORD - Mr. Clifford M. Downward, age 85, of Milford, died on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at the Delaware Hospice Center. Mr. Downward was a native Delawarean, born in Wilmington on May 10, 1925, son of the late Franklin Downward and Catherine Bowers Downward. He proudly served his country in the US Navy during World War II. A painter and gifted commercial artist, Mr. Downward worked for New Castle County for 15 years and had also been self-employed. During his residence at the Milford Center for the past eight years, he often delighted the staff with gifts of his charming cartoons and drawings. A talented writer as well, he loved to write poetry to share with his family. Mr. Downward was a longtime member of Christiana Lodge #35, AF& AM. He is survived by his children, Linda G. Darling (Charles) of Lincoln, and Clifford M. Downward II (Karen) of Cochranville, Pa.; siblings, E. Thomas Downward of New Castle, Roy R. Downward of Smyrna, and Mary Lou Fox of Middletown; grandchildren, Kate Howe, Karen Hopkins, Anne Kneipp, Matthew Downward, and Jarred Downward; and four great-grandchildren. He had been married to Hilda Maddy Downward for over 20 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Frank Downward, Jr., Millard Downward, Pierce Downward, Marcie Downward, and Stanford B. Downward, Sr. A memorial service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 1700 Limestone Road, Wilmington. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Milford Center, 700 Marvel Road, Milford, DE 19963. To sign guest book, visit spicermullikin.com.