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Ernest Light
ERNEST LIGHT
Newhall
Dr. Ernest Light of Aurora, Colo., affectionately known as "Poppy" or "Ernie," was born Oct. 5, 1931, in Newhall, Iowa (pop. 863), and passed into heaven on Sept. 21, 2016, at the age of 84.
The son of Anna Becker and Robert Light, the fifth of seven children, he was a Depression-era child who never forgot his Midwestern work ethic. Ernie was a dentist, professor, husband, father, grandfather, fisherman, skier, traveler and gardener.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Dorothy K. Light; four children (Christy Dorchuck, Bill, Dave and Sam); plus 12 grandchildren. He also is survived by his sister, Ann Schmuecker (Tom).
Ernie farmed the family farm after graduating from high school. Serving in the United Sates Army, he was a veteran where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
A graduate of the University of Iowa Dental School with a master's degree in endodontics, Ernie was chairman of the Department of Operative Dentistry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, where he taught dental students for 25-plus years.
A memorial Mass will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Newhall at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, with burial following at St. Patrick and St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Watkins. Afterward, lunch will be served at St. Paul's Catholic Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Paul's Catholic Church, Newhall, IA 52315.
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