Sheila T. Coyle

With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, we celebrate the life of Sheila Coyle of South Sioux City, NE. She was a devoted mother, loving grandmother, gifted art teacher and a beautiful church vocalist whose spirit illuminated every life she touched. She passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the age of 74.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church in Onawa, IA on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. Visitation for family and friends will immediately precede the service at the church beginning at 9:30 A.M.  Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City, IA.

Sheila was born on February 15, 1951, to Raymond and Teresa (Marley) Delanty in Onawa, IA. By the age of 16, she had lost her brother Danny, her father and her mother. She was raised on the family farm by her siblings until graduating high school and leaving to attend Briar Cliff College. She married Timothy Coyle and left school briefly to welcome their three children Brian, Nicole and Kelly. She returned to Briar Cliff nearly a decade later to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education.

Sheila lived a life shaped by creativity, enthusiasm and music. Through her art, she saw the beauty and abstract in the ordinary and taught others to do the same at St. Michaels in South Sioux City from 1981-1995, Hoover Middle School from 1995-2006 and eventually North Middle School from 2006 until early retirement in 2010. She was recognized as the Sioux City Community School District Teacher of the Year in 2007 and a finalist for the same recognition for the state award in 2008. As an art teacher, she inspired her students not just to paint or draw, but to see and sometimes even taste in what she fondly called Eat Your Art. She encouraged students to notice the color in the shadows, the meaning in a single brushstroke, the reality of perspectives and the divine presence in everything around us. Her classroom was a sanctuary of imagination, where confidence bloomed and every student’s unique ability and talent found expression.

At home, she loved her family and gave all that she could. Her unique and boisterous laughter filled every room, especially at family gatherings and holidays. Her embrace offered comfort beyond words. She referred to herself as “Sheila the Horse” at times and could also be a steady supportive presence alike. Her children, grandchildren and family carry forward her legacy of kindness, faith and creativity in all they do. She loved her animals and pets through the years. They cared for her, and she did the same for them with complete loyalty and relentless compassion.

At St. Michael’s Church, Sheila’s voice was a gift to all who heard it - a voice that lifted hearts, softened burdens during difficult times and brought heaven a little closer to earth. She was the parish liturgist, choir director and spent half of her time teaching vocal music at the school. Through every song you sensed emotion and inspiration as she shared her effortless gift of vocal music and guitar accompaniment in daily youth masses, weekend masses and numerous weddings and funerals.

Sheila’s life was a beautiful tapestry woven from love, music and color. She taught those around her to live with open hearts, be courageous and bold and to share generously their gifts and talents.

She is survived by her children, Brian (Deb) Coyle of Elk Point, SD, Nicole (Brent) Langdale of Lincoln, NE and Kelly Coyle of Sioux City, IA; grandchildren Christopher and Mariah Hogan and Sean, Aaron and Reghan Coyle; her sisters MaryAnne Sullivan of Ankeny, IA and Rita Delanty of Des Moines, IA along with numerous nieces, nephews and countless students and friends whose lives are brighter because of her influence. We owe Kim immeasurable gratitude for her daily care for mom and her pets for many years.

She was preceded in death by her father Ray, mother Teresa, brothers Danny and Patrick Delanty and sister Sarah Zamoon. We are encouraged that she is reunited with all of her family and friends who she loved and missed so much.