Michael Hyson

Michael F. Hyson, 76, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008, at the Monticello House in Jackson.

He was born Sept. 29, 1931, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, son of the late Thomas and Mary Quirk Hyson.

He and Marion L. Smith were married Jan. 7, 1956, in Cape Girardeau. She survives.

Mike graduated from Mitchell High School in Mitchell, S.D., in 1951. During the summer, he stayed with his foster parents, the late Joseph and Rosa Secher, of Humboldt, S.D.

On Dec. 29, 1951, he was inducted into the United States Air Force, and was honorably discharged March 5, 1962, as a Staff Sergeant. After his discharge, he worked for Trans World Airlines in St. Louis for 22 years until his retirement in 1985.

He and Marion moved to Jackson from St. Louis in 1986. He was a 21-year member of the Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, where he had served as a first vice president, and was involved in American Legion Bingo for 10 years. Mike was a member of the Disabled American Veterans for 18 years and Jackson VFW Post 3838 since 1995. He had worked in the voting polls for 15 years.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, survivors include three cousins, the Rev. Bill (JoAnn) Belmar of Chesterfield, Mo., George (Wilma) Belmar of Des-Arc, Mo., and Dale Hardin of St. Falls Church, Va.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. An American Legion Service will be held at 7 p.m.

The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bill Belmar officiating.

Burial will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, with graveside military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the American Legion Post 158, or Catholic Masses.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.