Uncle Lindy - Dave's Midwestern Ohio Memories

Series of Guest Blogs by an out-of-state Fish Report reader originally from this area about fond memories of growing up in Midwestern Ohio during the 50’s & 60’s

Uncle Lindy

We lost another member of the greatest generation this week, Army veteran and my uncle, Lindy Hoying, age 92. His funeral is today. Click here for his obituary.

Uncle Lindy served in the top secret Army Counter Intelligence Corp, a predecessor to the CIA!

Lindy was one of 7 brothers to serve in the military. Within our family, they were known as the “Band of Brothers”, corresponding to the book and HBO series of the same name about the soldiers in the 101st Airborne during the WWII D-Day campaign.

In their honor, this commemorative brick lays at the Veterans Memorial in Sun City, Florida.

Uncle Lindy married my aunt Mary in 1950, almost 70 years ago. Mary's sister and maid of honor, Hilda, became my mother-in-law 22 years later. So there were many wonderful connections between our families.

Lindy & Mary raised five children, Mike, Kathy, Jerry, Chuck and Bill. Here’s Lindy with Kathy and his daughters-in-law.

Lindy had a farm in St. Patricks shown in this aerial photo below, which happened to back up to his father's farm on Hoying Road. I can recall spending summers there helping Grandpa, Uncle Lindy and my other uncle Pat with the harvesting.

They had Allis Chalmers tractors, which were rather strange in that the seat was offset to the right so the steering column could connect directly to the front wheels. Kinda like riding side-saddle!

In addition to farming, Lindy was also manager of the Osgood branch of the Minster Farmers Coop for many years.

Lindy was an excellent athlete, starring on the 1943-44 Loramie basketball team.

As a kid, I recall Lindy playing baseball, then softball for the local teams. He was strong, quick and nimble, just like his grandson Jared pictured below now playing professional baseball. And his great grandsons, Mike & Darren Hoying, played on Loramie’s 2018 State Champion team. Darren’s on top in the celebration photo below and Mike's somewhere in the pile! This year’s team is currently undefeated, hopefully heading for more glory. State champions run in Lindy’s family, as Jared and Justin Hoying won in baseball, Julie Hoying in basketball and Janelle Hoying in both basketball and volleyball. Good genes for sure.

Lindy was active in civic and charitable affairs as well, serving as St. Patrick’s Parish Council President, Choir member, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Eagles, Fort Loramie Athletic Boosters and Library Board. Lindy was a dedicated parishioner of St. Patrick’s before it’s closing in 1997 and since then with St. Michael’s.

Lindy had many relatives as evidence by this 1997 Hoying reunion photo on the home place. Lindy is in the boxed section with the striped shirt. Mary is right behind him and grandson Jared is right in front of him.

Here’s a 1937 photo of the Hoying family celebrating grandpa and grandma’s 25th wedding anniversary. Lindy is wearing the light suit in front and my mother is just behind him. The two youngsters, Pat & Gene, are the remaining family members still living.

Rest in peace, Lindy. Give Mom a hug and Dad a beer!

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