Martin Otto Hoyer

Reverend Martin Otto Hoyer, 89, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Barnett, Missouri, passed away on February 24, 2021. Born on November 10, 1931, to Reverend Otto and Frieda (Aufdemberge) Hoyer, Martin was the youngest of eight children. Martin was a 1949 graduate of Alva High School in Alva, Oklahoma. He attended St. John's College in Winfield, Kansas, graduating in 1951. From Winfield, he went to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. During his time at the seminary, Martin met Hazel Faye Story. They both worked at the Parkmore, a restaurant in St. Louis, Hazel as a hostess and Martin as a carhop. They were married on June 9, 1953, in St. Louis. Martin enlisted in the United States Army in April, 1954, and was stationed at Fort Ord in California. During their time in California, Hazel gave birth to their first two sons, Paul and Stephen. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in 1956, Martin returned to St. Louis to continue his pastoral studies. He served his vicarage in DeWitt, Iowa, and after graduation, his first pastorate in Center Point, Iowa. During their time in Center Point, Martin and Hazel welcomed three more children, Lisa, Jan, and Jeff. Martin's pastoral ministry spanned more than 50 years, taking him from St. John Lutheran in Center Point, Iowa (1959 - 1965), to Zion Lutheran in Plainview, Nebraska (1965 - 1973), to Holy Cross Lutheran in Kearney, Nebraska (1973 - 1981), to Zion Lutheran in Hastings, Nebraska (1981 - 1988), to Trinity Lutheran in Jefferson City, Missouri (1988 - 1994). After he retired from Trinity, Jefferson City, Martin and Hazel moved to Barnett, Missouri, where Martin spent his retirement years filling pastoral vacancies and ministering to many small churches across central Missouri. Martin was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Hazel; and all seven of his siblings. At the age of 85, after losing Hazel, his wife of 62 years, Martin connected with friends from his days at St. John's College, including Joyce Richter. Martin and Joyce were married in 2017. Martin moved from Barnett, Missouri, to join Joyce in San Antonio, Texas. Martin and Joyce enjoyed traveling, and Martin sang with Beethoven Mnnerchor, a German men's choir in San Antonio. The couple moved into Franklin Park, an assisted living facility, in 2019, where they spent their final two years together before Martin's passing on February 24. Martin was known for his quick wit, his ready recall of Bible passages, and his down-to-earth adult Bible studies. He loved his Savior Jesus and shared that love with everyone around him. For many years, his hobby was to rebuild old Studebakers, which meant there were always multiple cars (in various states of functionality) at the Hoyer house. Martin instilled in his children a love of singing (in four-part harmony), playing cards, and telling stories. Martin loved to treat his family to a meal out, even when that family had grown to include sons- and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. When the kids came home for visits from college and well into adulthood, Martin would find a reason to take their cars out so he could fill them with gas. He never stopped taking care of his kids. He is survived by his children: Paul (Betty) Hoyer, Stephen (Linda) Hoyer, Lisa (Tryg) McCrea, Jan (Lyle) Holthus and Jeff (Rachel) Hoyer; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Friends will be received from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Peter Lange and Pastor Sam Powell officiating. Full military honors will follow. Rev. Hoyer's service will be live-streamed and available to watch at: https://youtu.be/kArPBhkgbGs In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation: www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.