James Fischer Wight

James Fischer Wight

May 3, 1924 - June 7, 2013

BARTLEY, Nebraska -- James Fischer Wight, age 89, of Bartley, died at his home on June 7, 2013.

He was born near Maywood on May 3, 1924 to Benjamin H. and Lydia (Fischer) Wight. "Wighty," as his friends called him, graduated from Bartley High School in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943, serving in the Asiatic and the Pacific Theatres as a signalman.

"Wighty" farmed south of Bartley most of his life. Upon retirement he worked for the Nebraska Game and Parks as the caretaker/maintenance person at the Harry Strunk Lake for over 15 yrs. "Wighty" was a member of the Bluebird Across Nebraska and the North American Bluebird Society. He built and maintained over 100 birdhouses throughout Red Willow, Furnas and Frontier counties. He was a 68-year member of the William Wight Post of the American Legion No. 245 of Bartley.

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father; Roy Hart, Sr. and two brothers, John William and Roy Hart, Jr.

He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Foster of Bartley; one sister-in-law, Barbara Wight of Three Rivers, California; seven nieces and nephews, Larry and wife, Linda Foster of Bartley; Mary and husband, Sam Frandsen of McCook, Nebraska, Kate Butt and Brenda Burke, both of Three Rivers, California; Colleen and husband, Aaron Vendagrift of Cambridge, Nebraska; Jannelle and husband, Ron Pfeiffer of Holdrege and Tom and wife, Sheila Hart of Keller, Texas.

Funeral services will be at the Kemper Memorial United Methodist Church in Bartley on June 11, 2013, at 3 p.m. with Pastor Sherry Sklenar officiating. Interment will be in the Bartley Cemetery. Military Honors will be performed by the Bartley American Legion Post No. 245.

Visitation will be Monday from 9:30 to 7 p.m.

Friends may leave on-line condolences at lockenour.com.

Memorials maybe left in James's name at the Mortuary to the Bluebirds Across Nebraska.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge is in charge of arrangements.