Lewis Lee Hyatt, 81, of Hillsboro, died Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at 1:28 p.m., at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
A memorial service will be held at Hough-Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 11 a.m., with C.J. Dyas officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 9, at the funeral home.
Mr. Hyatt was born to Glenn Robert and Joy Madeline (Davis) Hyatt of Poynette, WI, on June 14, 1945. At the age of 21, in 1966, he was drafted into the US Army. After returning home, on Oct. 28, 1973, he married the former Carolyn Marie Hoffman. Together, they enjoyed 52 years of marriage; Mrs. Hyatt survives.
He worked for Consolidated Communications, eventually retiring as a systems engineer. He enjoyed keeping himself busy and was considered a Renaissance man; he seemed able to accomplish whatever he set out to accomplish. He loved creating and building furniture from white oak for his family. He built tables, coffee tables, end tables, beautiful bookcases and chairs. He expertly refinished furniture to bring it back to life. He repaired electronics, small engines, plumbing and electrical problems. He had recently discovered the joys of 3-D printing.
Mr. Hyatt was also passionate about restoring automobiles--Mustangs, Studebakers, and Thunderbirds were given a second chance to shine with his careful attention. He only regretted parting with one of his vehicles, his red 1986 Mustang convertible, so he eventually purchased another one. Mr. Hyatt was a good man, a lot of fun, and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
In addition to his wife Carolyn, Mr Hyatt is survived by his son, Glenn Hyatt of St. Charles, MO; his daughter, Amiee Hyatt of Litchfield; his four grandchildren, Grace Minch, Logan Ellis, Levi Hyatt and Nolan Hyatt; and his beloved golden retriever, Holly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bob Hyatt and Bill Hyatt; and his sister-in-law, Ginger Hyatt.
Memorials may be directed to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, and more.
Please visit www.houghdeanfh.com to place an order for flowers, to find directions, or to share condolences with the family.
