Walter D. "Walt" Coyle

1936 - 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Walter D. "Walt" Coyle on January 31, 2025. Born October 4, 1936, in Flint, MI, to Walter J. Coyle of Oakmulgee, OK and D. Marie Brawner of Flint, MI. Walt is survived by his wife of 36 years Susan (Lampke) of Muncie, IN; four children, Walter Kelly of Bonita Springs, FL, Gina Marie of Waltham, MA, Andrew Daniel of Bonita Springs, FL and James Matthew of Palo Alto, CA. Walter also has three surviving grandchildren, Emmett J. Coyle of Bonita Springs, FL, H. Walter Watkins of Couer d'Alene, ID and Ryan T. Holmes of Rockwall, TX. His grandsons share Walt's sense of outdoor adventure. Walter was preceded in death by his three younger siblings, Catherine Ann, Michael and Patrick. Walter has two surviving sisters-in-law, Marianne Coyle, Jeffersonville, IN and Sandy Coyle, Louisville, KY; as well as multiple nieces and nephews in Arizona, Indiana and Kentucky.

In October 1945, Walter's parents moved their young family to New Albany, IN, where his father had purchased a Chevrolet dealership then known as New Albany Motor Company, and currently known as Coyle Chevrolet, Inc., and is owned and operated today by two of Walt's nephews. Prior to his family moving to Southern IN, Walt, as a young child, lived in nine different towns in three States, as his father was transferred to new positions within The Chevrolet Corporation. Walt literally grew up in the automobile industry, and held positions in the dealership as office manager, service manager and was General Manager until he left the Chevrolet dealership in 1967. Walt, having grown up in the car industry, noticed an emerging niche for smaller more fuel-efficient vehicles which lead him in 1968 to purchase a Volkswagen dealership in Marion, IN. Walter again noticed an underserved and emerging shift in the industry toward luxury cars and added MercedesBenz in 1970 and Porcshe+Audi in 1972. Walter sold his dealership and retired from the automobile business in 1986 when he was approached by an acquaintance that was an Oldsmobile dealer in Kokomo, IN with an offer to purchase Walt's dealership with its desirable product lines.

Upon retiring from the retail auto business, he moved full-time to his "happy place" in Boyne City, Ml. Walter soon became restless in retirement and began selling real estate, becoming an established agent with John Buick Real Estate and later with Mark Kowaske Real Estate. Simultaneously, Walt was asked to serve on the Boyne City Tax Appeal Board of Review. To thoroughly understand "Property Record Cards" Walt enrolled in the State's course on property assessment and became a Level 11 State Certified Assessor. With this certification in hand, Evangeline and Melrose Townships hired Walt to be their Assessor and he held this position for several years. Once again, Walter noticed an underserved market and became a State Certified Appraiser and started Char-Em Appraisal Service in Boyne City in 1992 and retired from the appraisal business in 2018.

During his careers, Walt was involved with and participated on many Boards, Commission's and Activities throughout his life. To name a few, he was a Board Member of 4Front Credit Union, Bay Winds Federal Credit Union, Northwest Michigan & Boyne City Board of Review, Boyne City Planning Commission and Chairman. He also served on the Chamber of Commerce Board and as a President in Marion, IN. Additionally, he served on the Grant County, IN United Way Fund Raising Campaign Board and as President in Marion, IN.

Walter was educated at Holy Trinity School in New Albany, IN and Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, KY and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Bellermine University in Louisville, KY.

As Walt approached a more flexible work schedule in later life, he and his wife Susan began spending more of their winter months in Southwest Florida at their condo in Pelican Sound Golf & River Club in Estero, FL. Walt was a lifelong boater having built his first sailboat from a mail order kit as a young child. His love of boating, both sail and power, remained a passion right up to the end of his life. His sailing and boating underway time included the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean's, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and The Great Lakes. He held a Private Pilot's License and U.S. Coast Guard Master License. He was also an avid snow skier. Walt was also a "car freak," having started driving hill climb competitions at an early age on Mt. Arie, French Lick, IN and the Kentucky Region of the SCCA. Walter always enjoyed driving fast!

As a father, he instilled in his children through his business life, his love of sailing and the "Up North" lifestyle, an appreciation for the outdoors, with a zest for new adventures; with the addition of his emphasis on detail, integrity and discipline.

Walter was an ardent believer and supporter of Catholic education and requested that memorial donations be directed to Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, KY and/or Saint Michael's Academy in Petoskey, Ml.

A funeral mass officiated by Father Dennis Stilwell will be on May 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Boyne City, MI. A visitation will begin at 10:00 AM.