Hoyt A. Mothershead, a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather, passed away

on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at the age of 94, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape

Girardeau, Missouri.  He was a man of unwavering dedication and a deep love for his family.

He was born on Thursday, July 25, 1929, in Ware, Missouri, to Hoyt and Fern Mothershead.

Hoyt grew up in Morehouse, Missouri, and attended Sikeston High School.  Upon graduation,

he set out on his Harley-Davidson to Great Bend, Kansas, where he worked on a wheat-

harvesting crew for two summers.

In Sikeston, he was introduced to Betty Jo Zook through mutual friends.  Betty and Hoyt were

married on Sunday, February 11, 1951, at First Baptist Church in Sikeston, Missouri.  One

month later, Hoyt was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War.  He served

two years, one of which was in Bordeaux, France. After serving his country, he used some of

his GI Bill benefits to help pay for flying lessons and to obtain his private pilot's license under the

guidance of instructors John Godwin and John Seesing.

After working for McKnight-Keaton Grocery Company, Hoyt joined Righter Trucking (later

becoming Elfrink Truck Lines), and was a member of the local Teamsters Union.  While trucking

fulltime, he and Betty dreamed of owning their own farm.   They sold their beautiful wooden boat

that had been handcrafted by Hoyt, to use for a down payment. In 1956, they took a leap of

faith and purchased a farm near Benton, Missouri. Hoyt's quiet determination and strong work

ethic silenced the nay-sayers, as he successfully balanced two careers over the next 30+

years.

Retiring from truck driving in 1990, Hoyt continued to help oversee the farm and livestock

operations from the seats of his Kubota tractor and ATV.   When grandchildren came along, he

enjoyed introducing them to farm life and loved the time spent with them. Throughout their 63

years of marriage, Hoyt and Betty were the perfect complement to each other, both in their work

and in building their family.

Hoyt is survived by his son, Russ Mothershead, of rural Benton, his brother Merlin

Mothershead, of Scott City, MO, five grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, one nephew,

three nieces, and numerous cousins.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his son,

Robert Mothershead, his grandson, Daniel Mothershead, and his sister, Alma Lee Bechtold.

In accordance with Hoyt's wishes, a private graveside service will be held at a later date. For

those who wish to honor his memory, memorials may be sent to the Hoyt A. Mothershead

Memorial Scholarship, c/o Southeast Missouri State University Foundation, One University

Plaza MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Hoyt's legacy of hard work, determination, and

devotion to family will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.