Joseph Michael Hoehn

Joseph "Michael" Hoehn passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, in Searcy, Arkansas, at the age of 86, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Born September 23, 1939, in Alton, Illinois, to the late Arthur and Laura Irene (Ferrell) Hoehn, Michael was the third of eight children. Michael was a gifted student and musician, excelling in math and playing the French horn and drums. Michael graduated from South Roxana High School in Roxana, Illinois in 1958.

After serving in the Marine Corps, Michael moved to Southern California, where he met and married Sharon Diane Beck in Hermosa Beach in 1966. Together, Michael and Sharon had two daughters, Stephanie Michele and Laura Elese, and helped raise their nephew, Christopher Alan Beck, whom they considered a son.

Michael graduated from California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Michael began his career as a civil engineer at Los Angeles County Flood Control District before moving on to management roles at Roseburg Public Works and Roseburg Urban Sanitation Authority in Roseburg, Oregon, and Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District in Vallejo, California. Michael was highly respected in his field. Over the years, his work was recognized for excellence by several groups, including The Environmental Protection Agency.

After retiring in 2001, Michael moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas, where he enjoyed landscaping, golfing, fishing, and spending time with family. In 2023, as his health declined, Michael moved to Cabot, Arkansas to be closer to his family.

Throughout his life, Michael had a deep love for children and was known for rocking, holding, playing with, and giving them their first taste of ice cream. A dedicated church member, Michael lived his faith through actions, offering his home to more than 10 teenagers and young adults over the years. He was extraordinarily generous with his resources and time. Michael was a wonderful son, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather.

In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his siblings, Arthur "Eugene" Hoehn, John "Douglas" Hoehn, Claude "Dennis" Hoehn, Henry "Daniel" Hoehn, Stephen Lee Hoehn, Sue Elaine Hoehn, and Jan "Renee" (Hoehn) Ginosky, and his son, Christopher Beck.

Michael is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sharon (Beck) Hoehn; daughters Stephanie (Hoehn) Lowrey (Aaron) and Laura (Hoehn) Abney (Charlie); daughter-in-law Cheryl (Bernhard) Beck; grandchildren Catherine (Beck) Ramirez (Jordan), Jonathan Beck (Nichole), Jacob Lowrey, Cameron Lowrey, Andrew Lowrey, Elese Abney, Callie Abney, and Tessa Abney; and great-granddaughter Willow Beck. Michael is also survived by his three honorary grandchildren, Rachel, Michael, and Bradley Williams, and a large extended family who all deeply loved and admired him.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 9, 2025, and the funeral will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025 at Moore's Cabot Funeral Home. Michael will be laid to rest at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock following the funeral service.

Michael will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for his family.