James "Jim" Coyle

It is with deep sadness the family of James M. Coyle announce Jim's passing away on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the age of 74, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Pastor Steve Biswell will officiate. The service will be Live-Streamed via our website and Face-Book Live.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown, and the Funeral Honors Team of the U.S. Air Force. Honorary pallbearers will be: Robert Coyle, Harlan Siegfried, Gail Struss and Charles Kranz. Active pallbearers will be: Craig Coyle, Brian Coyle, Caleb Coyle, Ross Kranz, Curt Brown and Dennis Lien.

Jim was born on December 20, 1946, in Watertown, South Dakota, and was preceded in death by parents Edward & Marion (Weelborg) Coyle; brother, Derwood Coyle and sister-in-law, Eva Rose Coyle; nephew, Robert Coyle Jr; and his grandparents.

Jim was survived by his wife of 52 years, Charlotte (Kranz) Coyle; three children: daughter, Michelle Coyle and sons, Craig (Laura) Coyle and Brian (Rachel) Coyle, all of Omaha, NE; brother, Robert (Judy) Coyle; sisters, Marilyn (Harlan) Siegfried and Judy (Gail) Struss, of Watertown, SD; six grandchildren: Caleb, Cadyn, Lola, Owen, Brooke and Logan; twelve nieces and nephews.

Jim graduated from Watertown High School in 1965 and from Dakota State University in Madison, SD, in 1973. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Marie Kranz, on July 6, 1968, in Watertown, SD and had celebrated over 52 years of marriage.

Jim enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in February of 1967 and retired after giving 34 years of service to his Country. He served during Vietnam, stationed in Turkey and during Desert Storm. He spent a year in DC assisting with the decoding of documents that came back from Iraq after 9/11. Jim retired from Civil Service in 2005 with 29 years of service. He was also a member of The American Legion and VFW. Jim so loved his children and grandchildren and spending time with them...going to their athletic activities, fishing, taking them to the College World Series along with their own kids.

You could be on vacation in Hawaii, cruising or touring in Europe and someone would call his name and he always remembered them! He enjoyed talking with people, no one was a stranger! Charlotte and Jim enjoyed their retirement years wintering in Florida.

Jim's hobby was cars. He was our mechanic, sales person, "the go to guy" when anyone had an issue with their car. If someone needed help with anything, first one they called was "Jimmy". If he couldn't fix it, he had a directory of who could help them. Jim was always there to help people and did so in many ways. He went the extra mile so many times. Jim enjoyed going to local races and State S events with his brother-in-law, Harlan.

Jim was a quiet man but his mind was always clicking. Jim was blessed with many talents. Once retiring, he started another career as a home builder. Jim also built and managed Family-Owned Daycares in Omaha with his son, Craig. Jim was a Beloved Husband, Father, Grampie, Brother and Good Friend to many and Jim will be deeply missed. We are assured Jim is in the loving arms of our God as he made the commitment long ago to follow Our Lord Jesus Christ. With that ,we take comfort as we know we will meet again. We Love You and Miss You Jim!

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel Watertown, De Smet, Bryant and Hayti
www.crawfordosthus.com

Service Details.

Service

When: June 1, 2021 11:00am
Location: Crawford - Osthus Funeral Chapel (Watertown)
Address: Crawford - Osthus Funeral Chapel (Watertown)

Interment

Location: Mt. Hope Cemetery
Address: 1133 11th Ave NE Watertown, SD 57201

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