J.R. Hoyer

J. R. Hoyer, 87, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and formerly of Hillsboro, IA, died Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Sunnybrook Assisted Living in Mt. Pleasant, IA. Visitation will begin after 12 noon, on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, at Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel in Mt. Pleasant, where the family will greet friends from 4:00 until 7:00 that evening. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, September 13th, at Salem Congregational Church with Pastor Aaron Helterbran officiating. Burial, with full military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard, will follow at Salem East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Salem Fire Department and the Cedar Township Fire Department. Born December 29, 1924, on the family farm, rural Hillsboro, IA, Junior Ray was the son of Albert H. and Ruby E. (Leazer) Hoyer. He attended country school and graduated from Salem High School in 1941. He served in the Army during World War II. On May 23, 1948, J.R. married Dorothy "Louise" Sawvel in Ottumwa, IA. In 1952, J.R. graduated from Reisch Auctioneering School in Mason City, IA and then began his lifetime career of auctioneering. He co-owned Van Syoc-Hoyer Auction Realty. The company expanded and became known as Van Syoc-Hoyer Cornick Auction Realty. He later formed Hoyer Auction Service with his sons, Marty and Jeff. He was the 1968 Iowa State Champion Auctioneer. He served on the Iowa Auctioneer Association Board and as state president of the organization. Along with his auctioneering activities J.R. sold real estate and farmed. J.R. was a member of Salem Congregational Church and the Salem Simpkin-Pidgeon American Legion Post. He gave of his time to the rural communities in the area in which he lived. When his sons were young, he was a Little League coach. J.R. was on the Lewelling Quaker Shrine Board and served as master of ceremonies for the Salem Old Settlers parade and programs. He was instrumental in the development of the early fall festivals for the Catholic Churches. J.R. served on the Pilot Grove Savings Bank Board and was a Cedar Township Trustee. During Old Threshers, he was the barker for the medicine wagon and for many years announced the horse pull held on Labor Day. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, J.R.'s greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren and supporting their activities. He liked to boat and play cards. He enjoyed going to dances with his wife and visiting with his friends over coffee. Along with his wife, Louise, of 64 years, J.R. is survived by a daughter, Karen (Jake) Jacobsmeier of Salem, IA; three sons, Steve (Mary) Hoyer of Salem, IA, Martin (Annette) Hoyer of Burlington, IA, and Jeff (Laurie) Hoyer of Hillsboro, IA; seven grandchildren, Josh Toben, Isaac Jacobsmeier, Mason Hoyer, Alison Cox, Emily Hoyer, Craig Hoyer, and Travis Hoyer; and four great-grandchildren. J.R. was preceded in death by his parents.