Francis J. Hoyer

Francis J. Hoyer, 91, of West Lawn, passed away January 22, 2014 in Phoebe Berks Health Care Center, Wernersville.

His wife, Doris M. (Hilbert) Hoyer, died in 1999.

Born May 12, 1922 in Reading he was a son of the late John and Rose (Kluzowicz) Hoyer.

Francis was a 1941 graduate of Reading High School; attended Albright College, Wyomissing Poly Institute, and earned his professional engineering license from Penn State, State College. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers.

He worked as a draftsman at Jacob's Aircraft Engine Company, Pottstown and then in 1945 became the first employee of Sanders & Thomas, Inc., Pottstown (now STV), where he worked for over 50 years. During those years he held positions as a draftsman, designer, office manager, and vice president. He was very proud to have worked on the development of the first television tube as an outside contractor for RCA, Lancaster; and also to have contributed to Western Electric Plants in Reading and Allentown with his work on diodes, transistors and circuit boards. He devoted a great deal of work time to government projects, one of which was working at the Naval Aircraft Engineering Center at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Lakehurst Naval Center, NJ. The Naval Air Engineering Center presented him with a plaque containing a piece of arresting gear cable and an inscription: "A Piece of Your Career".

Along with the love of his family he was an avid golfer and sports fan, especially of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, and enjoyed playing the piano.

He is survived by his two daughters: Ann L., wife of John R. Prendergast, Wyomissing; and Janice L., wife of Michael E. "Woody" Dries, Wilmington, DE. Also surviving are his three grandchildren: Kristin (Prendergast), wife of Todd Addison, Greenwich, CT; Kelly (Prendergast), wife of David Buck, Trumbull, CT; and Elizabeth Dries, Washington, DC; and five great-grandchildren: Alexandra, Nicholas, Lauren, Caroline, and Jack.

Francis was predeceased by his sister, Josephine Pilot, and his brother, Raymond Hoyer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be private for the family. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 498 Bellevue Ave., Reading, PA 19605. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.