James Light

James Edward Light, 93, of Schofield, WI joined the angels and the love of his life, Cyrillia, on November 5, 2017.

James was born on March 7, 1924 to Edward and Hallie Mae (Etherton) Light in Jacksonville, IL.

James joined the Army Air Corps in 1941 and attended flight school at the Antigo Air Force Station where he met his future bride, Cyrillia Lorraine Groshek.  Upon completion of flight school he was promoted to Flight Officer.  He flew CG-4A fighter gliders during WWII as a squadron pilot. James’ unit was located near St. Andre, France and his last combat operation was the aerial crossing of the Rhine River into Germany in the final phase of the European war. A news release at the time stated that this operation was “the greatest airborne operation in military history.”  James and Cyrillia were married in Austin, TX on June 3, 1944.  After his honorable discharge in 1945 James flew private charter flights.  James drove semi-truck for Brandt Distributing.  James and Cyrillia owned and operated Jim’s Tap in Wausau for 14 years until 1974.  He went on to work for Hoffer’s Glass until his retirement.  James retired as a Special Deputy with the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department in 1985.  He was inducted into and honored by the Man-Of-Honor Society on March 28, 2016 for his service to his country.

James was an amazing woodworker and was always making things for his children and grandchildren.  Even when the grandkids weren’t old enough to have their own, he still made one for them and set it aside for when they were older and had their own homes.  Many of our family homes are graced with beautiful mantel clocks, shelves, and hope chests.  His favorite was making a Christmas decoration each year for his family, from snowmen to carolers to beautiful winter scenes with deer and trees.  James was also an avid gardener and always took immense pride in his yard and his gardens.  While his vegetable garden was always one to envy, his gorgeous flower beds were a magnificent sight to see.

James was known to his family as a strong man, someone you could always lean on when you needed it, someone who was always there, but even strong men can’t resist a child, and James was no exception.  Nothing could put a sparkle in his eyes and a grin on his face faster than seeing one of his beloved grandchildren or great-grandchildren.  James was a proud man and he was very proud of his family.

James is survived by his three children, MaryLou (Charles) Major of Eau Claire, James N. (Marcie) Light of Wausau, and Bobbi (David) Gau of Mosinee. He will be greatly missed by his six grandchildren, Tammy (Todd) Green, Christopher (Lydia) Major, Michael (Chloe) Major, Stacy (Robert M) Roberts, Jeffrey (Ashley) Gau and Rebecca Herrick. James leaves behind ten great-grandchildren.  He also leaves behind many other family and friends who will greatly miss him.

James was welcomed to Heaven by his beautiful wife Cyrillia; his parents, Edward and Hallie Mae; his sister, Marybelle Greenwalt; and his five brothers, Oscar, Carl, Howard, Lawrence, and Leonard Light.

Committal service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at Restlawn Memorial Chapel, 4710 N. Troy St., Wausau.  Visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service in the chapel.  Military honors will be provided by V.F.W. Burns Post #388.  Entombment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, town of Texas.

You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.