Jean Elizabeth Hoyer

Jean Elizabeth Hoyer, 95, of Conway, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. She was born Nov. 6, 1930, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Phillip and Margaret (Getz) Franz.

Jean was raised in Cleveland where she graduated from John Marshall High School in 1949. She worked as a secretary for American Greetings Corporation, the Ford Motor Plant and at Savings and Loan. In 1955, she became a Navy wife when she married Donn William Hoyer. Together, they transferred to Illinois, California, Maryland, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Jean had a passion for education which began when she attended Austin Peay State College in Clarksville, Tennessee. She continued her education at Arkansas State University in Beebe, where she graduated with an associate's degree in 1971. She completed her education by earning a bachelor's degree in 1973 and a master's degree in 1986 from State College of Arkansas (now UCA) in Conway. Jean dedicated over two decades to the field of education serving as a special education teacher and later as an elementary school counselor for North Little Rock School District. Jean leaves a lasting legacy in education as an anatomical gift donor to the UAMS Department of Neuroscience.

Jean was a member of First United Methodist Church in Conway. She was a past member of the County Extension Homemakers Club. She also did volunteer work for the American Red Cross assisting with blood drives.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother and sister-in-law, Phillip and Muriel Franz, son-in-law, Henry Wilson, stepson, Bill Hoyer, and grandson, Cody Nash.

She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Wilson of Conway, and daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Randy Nash of Vilonia; her grandsons, Michael Wilson and wife Amber of Clinton, Josh Wilson and wife Kerry of Owasso, Oklahoma, and Donny Nash of Malvern; grandson Cody's wife, Allison Nash of Pottsville; step-granddaughter, Stephanie Maldonado of Sacramento, California; great-grandchildren, Jordan Neel and wife Bree, Dailyn Raynor, Rylee Wilson, Addie Berry, Abby and Brynlee Wilson, Kenna, Beau, Noble and Ivy Nash, and Erick Espinosa; great-great granddaughter, Adia Neel; nephews, Phil Franz and wife Jill of Parma, Ohio, and Scott Franz of Berea, Ohio; niece, Kara Franz and partner Brady Johns of Berea, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Della Franz of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, along with a host of extended family and friends.

Jean's family wishes to express their appreciation to her caregivers from Home Instead and the staff of Gentiva Hospice for providing compassionate care during her final years.

A visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m. followed by a memorial service at noon at Vilonia United Methodist Church, 1112 Main St., Vilonia, Arkansas. Interment will be at Little Rock National Cemetery at a later date.

Donations to a charity or church of your choice in memory of Jean are welcome.