By Staff
NILES – Talmadge G. "Tom" Light, 79, of Orchard Lane, Niles, died at 3:56 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital, Berrien Center, following a brief illness.
Tom was born on March 5, 1929, in Michigan City, Ind., to Charles R. and Goldie I. (Runyan) Light.
He attended Michigan City schools and graduated from Weeden's Barber College, Chicago, Ill.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He was first employed at the former Studebaker Corp. of South Bend, Ind., and owned and operated Light's Hair Styling in Niles for many years.
He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Niles, and its Knights of Columbus Council 708, Niles.
He was also a member of St. Joseph Valley Lodge 4, F&AM, and the Saladin Shrine Temple; American Legion Post 26; BPO of Niles Elks 1322; and the Bend in the River Conservation Club, all of Niles, and Buchanan Moose Lodge 449.
He enjoyed housebuilding, including such projects as the barber shop, their house, homes for their children and several vacation homes.
He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
His greatest joy was his family, and especially his children and grandchildren, supporting and attending many school, Scouting, athletic and fine arts events in which they participated.
On Sept. 11, 1948, at Dowagiac's Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, he married the former M. Virginia Hartley, with whom he celebrated the 60th anniversary of that wedding this past year.
Tom is survived by Virginia, along with their children, Thomas (and Jan) Light of Dowagiac, and Pamela Whitmyer, Greg Light and Brad (and Vicky) Light, all of Niles; grandchildren, Kellee Jo, Jessica, Stacey, Tasha, Tanya, Ashley and Lizzey; great-grandchildren, Mya, Alisjha, Lee Lee, Dion, Haylee Jo, Jared, Chastity, Devonte, Gregory, Kayley, Timothy and Tyler; Tom's sisters, Betty Snider of Belvidere, Ill., and Gloria Sobieski and Patricia Keene, both of Dowagiac; and many nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Theresa Light; infant twin granddaughters, Allyssa and Maryssa Miller; and his brothers, Charles Light and Eugene Light.
Mass of Christian Burial for Tom Light will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at St. Mary Catholic Church by the Rev. David Otto.
Committal rites follow at Calvary Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with the veterans flag presentation and taps by American Legion Post 26, Niles.
His family will receive relatives and friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, with an evening prayer service at 7:30 p.m.
Contributions in memory of Tom Light may be made to the Saladin Shrine for support of crippled children.