Hugh R. Hoyle

Hugh Hoyle made the most of every single moment he was given. He was deeply passionate about politics, history, a good meal and college football. A devoted brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend, Hugh always held his loved ones close. His larger-than-life personality could put a smile on anyone’s face, and he brought humor and life to the world around him. Hugh will be forever treasured by those who knew him best.

After a long and challenging journey to build a family, there was a ray of happiness in the lives of Ivey and Helen Hoyle of Evanston, Illinois, as they awaited the arrival of their baby boy. On June 15, 1931, they were overjoyed to welcome their son, Hugh, into the world. From the moment he arrived, he was the center of their lives. His father took him everywhere he went, riding on his lap in the car and accompanying him to work or to drinks with friends.

He was raised in the family home in Skokie, Illinois, alongside his sisters, Helen, Doris, and Shirley. Hugh’s father, Ivey or “Johnny” to his friends and family, was an entrepreneur who worked tirelessly to support the Hoyle family while his mother, Helen, devoted herself to caring for her home and children. Throughout his childhood, Hugh was often spoiled by his doting parents and aunts, but he was also taught to be kind, loving, and fair. He had fond memories of summers with his sisters and cousins on his grandparents’ farm in Belgium, Wisconsin. Hugh could get into his fair share of mischief. He and his friends once got caught smoking cigarettes in a fort they’d built under the alfalfa. Hugh received a Catholic education. He ran track and cross country, graduating from St. George High School in 1949. He then went on to Loras College in Iowa and graduated in 1953 with his bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in history.

Hugh’s life was forever changed when he went to a party while home on break from college. It was there he met Dottie Giannini, who would become the love of his life. There was an instant spark between the two, and they soon began dating. Before long, however, Hugh enlisted in the United States Army. He asked Dottie to wait for him, and she was happy to say yes. While Hugh served in Marysville, California, Dottie planned their wedding. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, they were married at St. Mary’s Church on May 21, 1955.

Over the next twelve years, Hugh and Dottie were blessed to welcome eight beloved children, Joseph, Mary, Timothy, Michael, Barbara, Andrew, Daniel, and Catherine, into their hearts and home. They moved to their forever home on Maple Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1971. Hugh loved watching his kids grow up. He always said it was like watching a good movie. He worked many jobs over the years, running a cafeteria at Sears and managing the cafeteria at Bronson Hospital where he started the tradition of Friday grilling. After he retired from Bronson, he did asphalt maintenance with his son, Joe, at Hoyle & Meyer Asphalt. He also served in the National Guard for many years, as the unit’s mess sergeant. He looked forward to summer camp every year, especially returning home to Dottie.

Hugh’s steadfast love for Dottie was a constant in his life. He loved everything that she cooked for him. The two enjoyed traveling together, especially to Niagara Falls, California, Hawaii, and Europe. They also loved spending time with their best friends Ann and Joe Buckley. The couples had so much in common and had many happy times raising their kids together. As a sometimes “hot headed” father, Hugh always said he didn’t know what he would have done without Joe being able to calm him down when needed. Later in life, Hugh was thrilled to become a grandfather and a great-grandfather and doted on them whenever he could. He celebrated every new baby and watching them grow up and thrive brought Hugh so much joy.

Hugh had many interests. Inspired by his Uncle Ralph, he loved and collected model airplanes from the WWII era. He was a huge foodie. Hugh was a lifelong learner of politics and history and enjoyed engaging others, especially young people, on the topics. He was an avid Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Notre Dame football fan. When he was younger, he enjoyed running the Kalamazoo Klassic, often dragging his friends and family along. He was always ready for a basketball game on the home court or a ping pong match to determine who had to do the dishes. Hugh loved golfing, and he looked forward to getting breakfast with his best friend, Joe, every Friday. He was known to swear like a sailor and crack a joke, and he was famous for saying many things, like “Tell me everything you know…I’ve got five minutes.”

With a journey that spanned times of plenty and times of want, times of war and peace, Hugh Hoyle remained a charismatic personality through it all. He was a shining example of loyalty and affection, and he opened his arms to anyone and everyone. To know Hugh was to love him instantly. He was dedicated to his family and friends, and his insatiable zest for life allowed him to impact the lives of all those around him for the better. Though he will be dearly missed, Hugh leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his loved ones will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

Hugh Hoyle of Kalamazoo, age 93, died on March 30, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dottie; daughter, Mary Hoyle; and sisters, Shirley Hoyle and Helen Gola. Surviving are his children: Joe (Peggy) Hoyle, Tim (Kathy) Hoyle, Mike Hoyle, Barb (Mark) Novak, Andy (Donna) Hoyle, Danny (Andria) Hoyle, Catherine Palin; Anthony Palin; grandchildren: Sasha, Erin (Rob), Christopher (MaryBeth), Kara, Melissa, Jeffrey, Tyler, Ryan, Michael (Allison), Matthew, Troy, Hugh, Celia, Will; great-grandchildren: Alex, Jackson, Stefon, Felix, Jacob, Kayla, Anna, Alyssa, Austin, Valerie, and a baby boy on the way; sister, Doris Batt; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Sunday, April 13, from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900 where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. The Rosary will be recited at 4:30 PM. Mass will be celebrated Monday, April 14, at 10 AM at St. Augustine Cathedral. Burial at Mountain Home Cemetery. A reception will follow at Martini’s.

Celebrate Hugh’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Indian School or Operation Smile.