Michael Coyle Obituary

Michael Henry Coyle, 70, of Springfield, South Dakota passed away at his home unexpectedly on September 6th, 2025.

Visitation with family present will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 11th, 2025 at Goglin Funeral Home in Tyndall, SD.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025 at United Church of Christ in Springfield, SD. Lunch will immediately follow at the church. A private burial with family will take place at a later date.

Michael (Mike) was born on February 24th, 1955 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD to Eugene and Annella (Jankord) Coyle. Mike graduated from West Central High School in May of 1973. In August of 1973 Mike joined the Marine Corps where he served as a Tracked Vehicle Repairmen on AmTracs for 8 years. Most of those years spent serving in Japan and Hawaii. He came home and started his career at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls. Later, he moved to Springfield where he started working at the Springfield Correctional Facility. Met his wife Cheryl (Maag) and got married on February 5th 1988. They have two daughters, Sara and Emma. Mike was one of the initial hires at the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Yankton, SD. He started his career as a correctional officer and was promoted to security officer where he remained until his retirement. Mike became the president of AFGE Local 4040 and was later elected Vice President of the CPL 33 North Central Region. Mike’s activism led to many changes that improved the lifestyles of many employees. Mike built an extraordinary career where he was known for ensuring all employees were treated fairly and was respected for his negotiating skills. Mike retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons after 21 years. Following his retirement, Mike started doing taxidermy full-time following in the footsteps of his grandmother and father. His artistic abilities and attention to detail really shined through his work. Mike was also an avid trapper and a member of the National Trappers Association. He and 24 American delegates traveled to the Soviet Union early 1990s as part of a Citizen’s Ambassador Program to exchange information with fellow Soviet Union trappers. Mike always had a profound connection to the land. He loved to hunt, fish, garden, and bird watch. If you needed help identifying a bird or any animal, he was your guy. He was an active member of the local Bon Homme Pheasants Forever Chapter. He loved more than anything in sharing this beautiful life with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren and his beloved dog, Ajax.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Annella Coyle; mother-in-law, Juanita Maag and father-in-law, Lothar Maag; a nephew, Brian Maag.

Michael is survived by his wife, Cheryl Coyle of Springfield; daughter, Sara Heinemann (Mitch) of Dell Rapids, SD; daughter, Emma Stevens (Chris) of Neola, IA; a sister, Mary Burke (John) of Pueblo West, CO; a brother, Kenny Coyle (Becc) of Sioux Falls, SD; a brother, Kevin Coyle of Hartford, SD; a sister, Teresa Sterrett (Allen) of Pierre, SD; 5 wonderful grandchildren: Deegan, Zane, Bodie, Libby and Corbin. They will be missing their “papa” dearly. Numerous nieces and nephews.

If you wish to honor Mike’s memory, please consider a donation to the Pheasants Forever Chapter, https://www.pheasantsforever.org/donate which Mike supported and cared for throughout his life.