OBITUARY: Joseph D. Hoyer

Joseph D. Hoyer, age 90, of Brillion, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Bellin Medical Center in Green Bay.

Joe was born on October 24, 1925 in the town of Brillion, son of the late John and Clara (Meyer) Hoyer. On August 22, 1950, he married Alice Geiger at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brillion. Joe was employed for 42 years with the Brillion Iron Works Farm Equipment Division, retiring in 1990. In his heart, he loved farming. Joe and Alice had their own farm, and he also helped his dad farm. They later sold their farm, built a home on his parents’ land, and took over the home farm. Joe also loved to deer hunt, even purchasing a property on Crooked Lake so the family would have a place to hunt. He was a Packer fan, and especially enjoyed watching the grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. Joe was also a volunteer firefighter for Brillion and was a member of Holy Family Catholic Parish where he was an usher and served for funeral masses. Joe and Alice enjoyed playing cards, bus trips, and traveling. Joe really enjoyed their trip to Alaska. Most of all, Joe loved his family and always made sure that he was taking care of them.

Joe is survived by his wife of 65 years, Alice of Brillion; their children and spouses: daughter: Debbie (Ron) Hopfensperger and families: Dawn Woodfin and children: Brett, Avery, Edward, and Carolyn, Elizabeth (Joshua) Wilson and child: Madison, Alex Hopfensperger, Andy (Tiffany) Hopfensperger; daughter: Kathy (Dave) Rabas, and children: Amy and Jason Rabas; daughter: Judy (James) Caelwarts and families: Jacob (Nicole) Phillips and children: Jazlynn and LoraLie, Justin Phillips, and Jacqueline and Joseph Caelwarts; son: Dennis (Kim) Hoyer and families: Chris (Dana) Hoyer and children: Ethan and Sevanna, Matt (Stacie) Hoyer and children: Logan and Liam, Mike (Emily) Hoyer and child: Garrett; daughter: Lynn (Gregg) Valleskey ; daughter: Kim (Robert) Orr and child: Allison; one brother and sister-in-law: Gerald (Jean) Hoyer of Brillion, one sister Gertrude Backus of Manitowoc; other in-laws: Raymond (Shirley) Geiger, Lorraine Geiger, and Audrey O’Neil; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Frank and Mary (Dvorachek) Geiger, one grandson: Jonathan Joseph Phillips, sisters and brothers-in-law: Dolores (Carl) Mahloch, Helen (“Hub”) Hennessey, twin-infant sisters: Mary and Ann Hoyer, Bob Backus, Harold (Lorraine) Geiger, Joseph Geiger, Joseph O’Neil, and Francis Geiger.

Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 30, at Holy Family Catholic Church. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Timothy Brandt. Burial will be in Holy Family Catholic Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church on Wednesday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A prayer service will conclude the visitation, officiated by Rita Heraly. The visitation will continue at church on Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated in Joe’s name.

Online condolences may be made.