Merritt Reed Hoyt

Merritt R. Hoyt, 84 of Centralia, passed away Sunday, August 31, 2014 at his home. He was born June 24, 1930 in Jefferson County, son of Fred A. Hoyt and Gussie (Carpenter) Hoyt. He married Bette Sue (Bingaman) Hoyt on November 12, 1961 at First Baptist Church in Centralia and she preceded him in death. Mr. Hoyt is survived by a son, John Hoyt and wife Jennifer of Walnut Hill; a daughter, Debrah Mudd of Centralia; two grandchildren: Angela Nicole Brown of Centralia and Keith A. Cameron and wife Jesse of Warden, Illinois; three great-grandchildren: Dakota Korzenewski, Andrew Reed Brown and Madilyn Rose Cameron; a nephew, David Baldridge and family; a niece, LuAnn Web and husband Greg and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a grandson, Shawn Allen Brown, a nephew, Andrew Hoyt, a sister, Lois Baldridge, and a brother, Eugene Hoyt. Mr. Hoyt attended Frog Ridge Grade School, Centralia Township High School and the University of Alabama, while serving in the U.S. Air Force. He served in the U.S. Air Force from July 7, 1951 to July 6, 1955 and during the Korean War he was stationed in Okinawa. He became an Electrician in 1949; he worked for the U.S. Postal Service, an Oil Field Worker, and he also worked at Cisco Box Factory in Maintenance. Merritt was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and a member of the American Legion. Merritt enjoyed his crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, fixing, repairing, and building anything. He liked geography, history, geology, and reading maps. He was of the Methodist faith. Most of all he loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, friends and his four legged companions, Bella and Max. Funeral Services for Merritt Hoyt will be held Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the Hillcrest Lakeside Chapel in Centralia with Sumner Morrison officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Military Honors will be accorded at the grave site by the American Legion Post 446 and V.F.W. Post 2055. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted by Hillcrest Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Centralia, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting

Merritt Reed Hoyt

June 24, 1930 - August 31, 2014