Helen Mae ( Camerer) Hoyt

Helen Mae (Camerer) Hoyt, beloved by her family and friends, passed away at the age of 88 at her home in Jerseyville, Illinois, on Thursday, November 17, 2016.

Helen’s life was one of joy, love, faith and friendship. While all will miss her delightful shy smile that brought happiness to all around her, she leaves a legacy of love and kindness that will not be forgotten. Her memories will be passed on through the lives she touched and treasured stories she shared. In her own words from her personal memoirs, she was “born on Saturday morning (seven o’clock) May 26, 1928 in a farm house west of White Hall, Illinois down and across the road from” her aunt and uncle. Whether telling stories of her father working for a time as a water witcher, living in a farm house without indoor plumbing, taking a bus to Pere Marquette Park for “Senior Skip Day” as a high school senior in Jerseyville in 1946, eating the $.59 special lunch at Woolworths as a newlywed living in Chicago, indulging her dear husband Milton as he tried to convince family that Sunday dinner was “chicken” even though everyone knew it was likely squirrel or something else from the woods, or her excitement at taking trips or spending time with family, her stories and spirit always elicited affection.

Helen spent most of her adult life in Jerseyville where she married her loving husband Milton Hoyt in March 5, 1945 and enjoyed 45 years of marriage before his death in 1994. Together, they raised their children Marcia, Cindi and Rick. Her career consisted of various jobs in the private and public sector, including 18 years for Beacon Finance in Alton and several years in the City of Jerseyville’s Department of Community Development.  Helen was a long-time faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Jerseyville. She enjoyed shopping and travel, and her love of Coca-Cola was exceeded only by the love she felt for her family.

She is survived by her children Marcia Hoyt, Cynthia (Hoyt) Barrett and Richard & Karen Hoyt, and by her grandchildren Tiffany (Barrett) & Scott Rice, Allison (Barrett) & Ethan Vandersand, Amy (Hoyt) & David Ansell, Blake & Kathy Hoyt and Cole & Kasey Hoyt. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Madison, Lillian and Evangeline Rice; Alex and Mallory Vandersand; Kaden and Oakly Ansell, Cooper and Brody Hoyt, Landon, Grayson and Ainsley Hoyt.  She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband Milton, her parents Roswell and Hazel (Dugger) Camerer, her sisters Kathryn and Irma, her son-in-law Homer Barrett and her grandson Alex Barrett.  

Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23 at the First United Methodist Church of Jerseyville, 1200 S. Liberty Street. Service celebrating Helen’s life will be held at the church at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Bob Taylor and Rev. Dennis Hill with burial following at Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made in Helen’s honor to the First United Methodist Church of Jerseyville.

Alexander & Gubser Funeral Home in Charge of Arrangements.

Obit Provided By:
Alexander Funeral Home