RONALD VALEN LIGHT, 80 ,went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. He was born in Aurora, Illinois on February 13, 1946 to Kathleen (Klein) and Richard Light. Ron was the oldest of five children. He graduated from Oswego High School in 1965, after which he began his career in maintenance at General Mills, West Chicago plant, a job from which he retired in 2006 after 41 years of service.

Ron served his country honorably in the Vietnam War as part of the U.S. Navy, serving three tours between 1965-1969 as a GMG2 Gunners Mate.

He met his wife Christine through a group of her friends that included Ron’s sister Diane, and they were married on December 11, 1971. Ron and Chris soon purchased a home on the east side of Aurora and welcomed their daughter Janet in 1974 and son Michael in 1978. They relocated in 1988 to Oswego.

Ron and Chris began attending Christ Community Church, Aurora Campus (formerly Blackberry Creek Community Church) in 1998 at the invite of their daughter and son-in-law. Ron’s personal relationship with Jesus since 1994 brought him a deep and abiding joy that only grew over the years. He enjoyed serving at church, from starting and running the cassette tape recording ministry and helping repair the homes of widows and singles, to greeting at the door, always with a smile. His faith was encouraging and inspiring to many.

Ron served his family sacrificially, often by coming alongside in his quiet way, helping in any way he could and rarely putting himself first. He loved working with his hands and gave graciously of his skills as an electrician and a general contractor, having built his own home in 1987-88. He was a beautiful example of what it means to be a God-honoring husband, father, Papa and friend, among other things.

He loved helping others grow in their faith, whether by encouraging younger members of his men’s group, buying books he enjoyed by the dozen to give to others so they could enjoy them too, and making “Jesus” plaques over the winter months to give away throughout the year.

Ron is survived by two children, Janet (Todd) Pappas and Michael Light, DVM; one grandchild, Grant (Kayland) Pappas; brothers David (Margaret Sue) Light and Robert Light, sister Linda (Gerald Jr.) Podschweit; one brother-in-law, The Reverend Father Melvyn J. Vlasz; sisters-in-law Carol and Barbara Vlasz; several greatly loved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Christine; his parents, Richard and Kathleen Light (Klein); one sister, Diane Hester (Light); two brothers-in-law, Donald and Claude Vlasz.

The family will receive visitors Friday, April 24 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Bauman Family Funeral Home, 5600 US Route 34 Oswego, IL. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery.