Mass of Christian Burial for Dorothy Heidler, age 96, of Faith, SD, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Faith, SD, with Fr. Jim Hoerter officiating. Burial will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip, SD.

Dorothy Marie Coyle was born on February 16, 1920 at her uncle's place with her grandma as the midwife.  Her parents were Ray and Anna Coyle.  Grandparents were Bill and Lucy Coyle and Simon and Barbara Hockel. She had five brothers and two sisters. Being the oldest girl she was called Sis and helped raise the family.

She worked at a store and met Merle Heidler when he would come in to buy black oilcloth for his table. They were married on April 10, 1945. They ranched on Plum Creek northeast of Philip. They had four children: Jean, John, Joey, and Charles. Joey died at 1 ½ years old with leukemia and Charles was stillborn.  We're sure she is loving on those two babies she hasn't seen for years. Merle sold the ranch when Jean was born.  They moved to Faith and lived in the old Home Cafe building on Main Street.  He worked for Ernie Gottschalk and the railroad.

In the fall, they bought the ranch on the Moreau River.  Jean spent her first birthday there in September of 1947. Joey came in November of 1947 and died May 30, 1949. John was born July 8, 1951. Charles was stillborn on January 29, 1954. John was a busy little guy.  He married Carmen Vansickle in 1971.  They have four children and seven grandchildren.  Corky and Sharon live in North Dakota with Alexis and Corbett. Chip and Mindy live near Faith with Harlie Jo and Braylie. Kelli lives in Tennessee and travels the world. OJ and Leah live at Opal and are expecting a little cowboy next month.

Jean has four children and two granddaughters. Shawn, Kachena and Shayda live at Rozet, Wyoming. Justin splits his time between Faith and Arizona living the dream. Kari, Marty and Mary Lynn live in Gillette, Wyoming.  They are expecting in January. Cody lives in Gillette, Wyoming.

Dorothy had a work ethic that was hard to beat.  She milked cows and raised a lot of bum lambs.  She had a big garden.  She loved her flowers. She kept an immaculate house and prepared countless meals.  She made great chocolate chip cookies and a chocolate cake with cream frosting all from scratch.  She was a 4-H leader for years and enjoyed that.  She loved sports of all kinds especially if family was involved. She embroidered lots of tea towels.  She sent many cards to all family and friends.

After her own family had grown she was blessed to have the Kennedy families move into the community and more little people calling her grandma. Dorothy was a devoted Catholic. She said her rosary daily and had it in her hands as she went to sleep every night. Her faith was very important to her.

Dorothy passed away on Friday, September 9, 2016 at the Sturgis Regional Hospital in Sturgis, SD surrounded by her loving family.

She is survived by her daughter, Jean Lesmeister, Faith, SD; son and daughter-in-law, John and Carmen Heidler; eight grandchildren, Shawn and Kachena Lesmeister, Rozet, WY, Justin Lesmeister, Faith, SD, Kari and Marty Erivez, Gillette, WY, Cody Lesmeister, Gillette, WY, Corky and Sharon Heidler, Walhalla, ND, Chip and Mindy Heidler, Faith, SD, Kelli Heidler, Old Hickory, TN and O.J. and Leah Heidler, Opal, SD; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Patty Shaffer; one brother, Buddy Coyle; and three sisters-in-law, Sharon Coyle, Mary Lou Coyle and Verdis Heidler. She has numerous nieces and nephews too.

Waiting to greet her in heaven were her husband Merle and sons, Joey and Charles; her parents Ray and Anna Coyle; brothers, Willie, Joe, Bob and Sonny; her sister, Nellie; four sisters-in-law Sherry Coyle, Myrna Coyle, Marguerite Lawrence and Florence Kochersberger; two brothers-in-law, John and Harold Heidler, and their parents Joe and Ethel Heidler.


Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary Service and a time of sharing memories at 7:00 p.m. all at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.

A memorial has been established.