June - Free Methodist Church

Care Intern, Sonlife Youth Ministries, community outreachtargeting “at-risk” youth, and visiting shut-ins. One of hisreferences states, “Neil is a superior preacher and teacher.He seems most energized when he touches lives and spiritsone on one. I have met few pastors who have so clearlyseemed qualified for the chaplaincy.” He is passionateabout the LORD and taking His love to people in need.FMC-USA endorsed him as Hospital and HospiceChaplain on May 25. Congratulations Ch Davis! Wewill pray for hospital or hospice employment soon.This is ChaplainsHoyt and Anstedjust 11 monthsago at our PDC inRochester NY.John iscongratulatingBud on his beinghonored with theChaplains Medallion. Both men gave several decades offaithful service after retiring from the military chaplaincy.This is John andConnie Hoyt intheir home,Greenacres FL inFebruary. Wehad a fun visitwith them –sharing stories,yogurt andchocolate chip cookies and prayer. John energetically toldstories of his chaplaincy and missions adventures.Little did we know how close he was to his heavenadventure. In May he was diagnosed with inoperableesophageal cancer. He died on June 2. Connie wasfaithfully at his side, as she has been for the last 66 years.Their faith in Christ and the good memories of John’sjourney with the LORD provide the Hoyt family with peaceand thanksgiving to our Savior. Obituary:John Henry Hoyt was born on the farm near St. Louis,MI on August 21, 1921 to Charles and Jennie Hoyt. Hewas one of six children. He attended Greenville College ILfrom 1940-1942 and was drafted into WW2 in August of1942. Released from the army as a Warrant Officer at theend of the war, he married his sweet heart, ConstanceKerns on February 2, 1946. To this union were born fivechildren: John Hoyt Jr. of Greenacres FL, Rebecca Hollandof Spokane WA, Jennie Lee Williams of Merritt Island FL,Connie Hoyt Buterbaugh of Columbus IN, and CharlesHoyt of Thomasville GA. They have also been blessed withtwelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren.June 2012 Page 3John completed his studies at Greenville College,graduating in June of 1946. Pastored his first FreeMethodist Church in Belvidere IL for three years whileattending Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago, thumbinghis way to and from school with a group of friendly truckdrivers who declared that young preacher a pretty goodguy. Graduating from seminary in 1949, he pastored a FMchurch plant in Pontiac IL from summer of ’49 to ’51. Wascalled back into military service and transferred to the AirForce Chaplaincy. Served on active duty as an A.F.Chaplain from February ’51 to February -58 serving atLackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, Lowry AFB inDenver and three years in Oslo Norway at Allied “ForcesNorthern Europe and was released from active duty atShepherd AFB, Wichita Falls TX in February ’58 butremained in the Air Force Reserves ‘til military retirementat age 60, in 1981. John resumed pastoring in 1958in Florida, serving Churches in Lake Worth, Greenacres,West Palm Beach, and Kissimmee. New churches werebuilt at both West Palm Beach and Kissimmee during hispastorate there. After being retired, he and Connie went toAsunción, Paraguay and were part of the faculty at ACA(Asunción Christian Academy) for five years, returning toretirement in the states in 1997. John went to be withthe Lord on June 2, 2012 at the age of 90.Chaplain Colleagues: The Web Site for messages ofcondolence and support for the family of Chaplain JohnHoyt, Sr., retired Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) may beaccessed at Tillman Funeral Home West Palm Beach.John in his active AF days. Connie receiving theU S Flag Connie watching Flag folding ceremonyHonors and Taps rendered by USAF Honor Guard“Farewell faithful friend and honored Christ-server!”