Myron A. Hoyt

Myron A Hoyt, age 81, of Battle Creek, MI, beloved husband and father went to sleep in Christ's arms on August 31st 2013. Myron was born in Sturgis South Dakota on August 19,1932 to Inez and Barnett Hoyt. Myron was one of seven children, the oldest son full of rebellion who found himself into a little trouble on the west coast Oregon town that the family was living. A call was made to an Aunt in Lincoln Nebraska where the young Miss Marilyn (Dirksen) was living with her family. The two met at Union College Academy as freshman in the fall of 1946. Marilyn's heart belonged to another but that did not waiver Myron's determination to win it for him. The gym at school which doubled as a roller rink was the backdrop for the romance that began the love story. Myron loved stock car races added the excitement that the two enjoyed together. Shortly after high school on August 31,1950 that bad boy won her hand in marriage. They said it would never last........

Myron supported the newlyweds by shoveling coal and a few other jobs. Soon Myron joined the war in Korea serving 1953-1954 as a combat medic in the Army, serving in theatres of Christmas Hill, Pork Chop Ridge and the Punch Bowl in the 45th Division. Upon entering the Air Force from 1955 Myron and Marilyn were stationed in Lake Charles Louisiana.

The first child came along with early heartbreak with the loss of the infant daughter Robin. Shortly later they were stationed in Libya in 1958 where they experienced a world before the reign of the tyrant Qaddafi. Myron enjoyed flying and building model airplanes to pass free time in the desert sands. They also enjoyed the rooftop party's with their fellow airmen and their wives. Sadness once again followed with the loss of another infant child their son Raymond. Late in 1959 things changed again, a bedowain boy of six months landed in their arms, smitten with his large brown eyes and curly hair. The Adoption of Mark happened just before leaving Libya, upon arrival stateside Robin was born and adopted, and next up was the birth of Scott just 4 months later. Three children under the age of 15 months, ciaos ensued. Three years later Cindy was born and the baby Candy was three years later born. The young family for eight years lived in Midwest City Oklahoma, station at Tinker Air Force Base. Myron loved the great outdoors enjoying many activities such as boating, camping, fishing and hunting with the children. Myron mentored many young airmen having them tag on many of the weekend trips with the young family.

A tour in Thailand during the Vietnam War took Myron away from the young family for a full year 1967-1968. Myron's counter insurgency mission was working as a field doctor for the Thai government actively treating patients in villages in the most sensitive areas of northeast Thailand. The closest man to Hanoi at one point Myron was reporting coded messages to the OSI by radio on enemy movements of war armaments. Myron also flew four missions of Vietnam kicking flairs from a C131 Aircraft for airdrops.

The next assignment brought Myron to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene Texas for four years beginning in 1968. Myron dreamed of going north to Alaska, as a choice assignment for his final tour of duty the trip began from Abilene to Fairbanks. The journey began in the spring of 1972 as the family piled into a 32ft 5th wheel trailer for an adventure taking 30days and covering 3800 miles through the rough and graveled Al-Can highway. Myron was at home in this land and the midnight sun and frozen tundra. He enjoyed many adventures in the wilderness both land and sea. Marilyn never really got used to thesubzero winters and begged for warmer climates. Giving in to her needs retirement from the Air Force landed them in Chanute Kansas in 1975. The opportunity came just a year later for a career in packaging which led to the family once again relocating to Hinsdale, III and the eventual formation of his company Liberty Packaging.

The call of family moved the couple to Battle Creek, Mi to be near family in 1994. He kept busy with repair work and a few small building projects. The call to even warmer weather once again had Myron and Marilyn on the move to Caitlin, Illinois in 2006 where Scott and Cindy's families reside, but after 5 years Myron yearned to be back in Battle Creek once again to be near his brother Stanley and Sister Shirley returning in 2011.
The bad boy grew into a dedicated husband, caring father and a doting grandfather and great grandfather. Myron like many of us was more that dates and statistics. He was a good man who made our lives richer for being a part of his. He was a passionate patriot and fierce about his freedom as an American, defending his constitutional rights with tenacity. He generously offered help to many and freely gave of his time and abilities. His voice falls silent on our ears but we can still hear him with our hearts and remember his smile and kind words fondly. Myron and Marilyn were married 63 years; they said it would.

Myron is survived by his loving wife Marilyn (Dirksen) and children Mark (Connie) Hoyt of Phoenix, AZ, Robin (Lon) Marsh of Dexter, MI,Scott (Shelley) Hoyt of Catlin, IL, Cindy (Jeff) Spinney of Wilmington, IL, and Candy (Louie) Hansen of Willow Springs, IL; by grandchildren, Cherie, Jeremy, Tyler, Ryan, Louisa, Theresa, Michael, David, John, Matthew, Abigail, Amanda and Katherine; great grandchildren David, Molly, Hayden, Lilliana, Aiden and Vanessa. Sister Shirley (Ross) Fahling. Myron was preceded in death by his son, Raymond, daughter, Robin and a grandson, Scott.

The Graveside Service to celebrate Myron's life will be held on Friday, September 6th at 1:00 p.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI with the United States Air Force Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing Full, Military Honors and Pastor Ryan D. Counsell of the Urbandale Seventh Day Adventist Church, officiating. Family and friends are invited to continue Myron's life celebration with a time of fellowship and luncheon immediately following the graveside service at the Augusta V.F.W Post # 7956, 13540 West M-96, Augusta. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Myron's honor may be directed to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674; the American Diabetes Association, 3940 Broadmoor Avenue, Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 or to the Family. The Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, Battle Creek is in charge of all the arrangements.