Ronald F. Light, 72, a resident of Davenport, died Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010 at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, following an extended illness surrounded by his family.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, downtown Davenport. Inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Rock Island. The family will greet friends Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Halligan McCabe DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main St., Davenport. There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. that all are invited to attend to begin the visitation. Following Ron’s wishes cremation rites have been accorded.
Ronald Frank Light was born on Oct. 18, 1937 in Davenport, a son of Frank Risen and Luella (Light) Risen. Ron was raised by his grandparents, Robert and Margaret “Peggy” Light. He was a 1955 graduate of St. Ambrose Academy, where he played basketball on the 1955 team that finished as state runner-up. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves. Ron was united in marriage to Charlotte Marie Colman on Oct 22, 1960 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in three weeks.
Ron and his wife Charlotte were co-owners of Colman Florist in the Quad Cities. Ron also spent 35 years with Dunn and Bradstreet as a district office manager, and had also worked for Ruhl & Ruhl Realtors and Grampp Realty. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus #532 where he was active in the golf league and the bowling league; the Noon Optimist Club; TPA Association, and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Ron was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago Bears. When his children were young, he coached them in Little League baseball, girl’s softball, and also in basketball. His greatest accomplishment and joy was his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Some of the greatest family memories were of time spent fishing and relaxing at the summer home in Minnesota.
Memorials may be made to St. Anthony’s Church Building Fund, Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, or to Assumption High School.
Ron is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte, Davenport; children and their spouses, Steve and Kathy Light, Glen Ellyn, Ill., Kevin and Sherrie Light, Cindy and Kevin DeNike, all of Davenport, and Julie and Steve White, Germantown, Tenn.; grandchildren, Trevor, Ryan and Sean Light, Samantha, Kelley, Alexis, Jacob, and Charlie Light, Paxton DeNike, Austin and Ryley White; and a great-grandson, Carter Light.
