Hoyt Mothershead

BENTON, Mo. — Hoyt A. Mothershead, a beloved son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, passed away Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at the age of 94 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He was a man of unwavering dedication and had a deep love for his family.

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

Hoyt grew up in Morehouse, Missouri, and attended Sikeston (Missouri) 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 Sunday, Feb. 11, 1951, at First Baptist Church in Sikeston. One month later, Hoyt was drafted into the U.S. 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 Co., Hoyt joined Righter Trucking (later becoming Elfrink Truck Lines) and was a member of the local Teamsters Union. While trucking full time, 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 naysayers, as he successfully balanced two careers over the next 30-plus 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; brother, Merlin Mothershead of Scott City; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one nephew; three nieces; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; son, Robert Mothershead; grandson, Daniel Mothershead; and 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 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.

Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston is assisting the family.