ELKHART — Earl Thomas Light, 88, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, following a brief illness.

He was born, in Elkhart,  Aug. 31, 1930, to the late Gordon and Opal (Whybrew) Light.

He married Jeanette A. Hartsell on Sept. 22, 1957, in Elkhart.

Jeanette survives at home after 61 years together.

Also surviving are his daughters, Lori (Jim) Pierce and Lisa (David) Wiggins of Elkhart, and Linda (Allen) Pittman of Lakeland, Florida; grandchildren Katey Brumer, Bronson Seifer, Elijah and Adrian Wiggins, Nicole Miller, and Greg and Aaron Pittman; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Richard (Rita) Light of Bristol.

In accordance with his wishes, Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services is currently assisting the family with cremation arrangements. Following that, a memorial service conducted by his son-in-law David has been scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Cass County Council Aging Community Center, 60525 Decatur Road, Cassopolis, Michigan.

Earl was a 1949 graduate of Elkhart High School.

He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves for 17 years and worked at Whitehall Labs for 43 years.

He was an active outdoors man who enjoyed hunting and participating in sporting events having been a football and softball player and a hole-in-one golfer.

He also coached football at Pierre Moran Junior High and served as an official for the University of Notre Dame track and field team.

He enjoyed traveling throughout all 50 states and abroad with his wife and was fortunate enough to retire on Eagle Lake, where he could look out over the water and enjoy his nature.

Memorial donations may be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 22579 Old U.S. 20 E, Elkhart, IN 46516.

Center for Hospice Care c/o Esther House
501 Comfort Pl., Mishawaka IN 46545