Michael Loy Marler

Michael Loy Marler, age 65, passed away in the early morning of March 17, 2015, in Tyler, after heroically battling lung cancer. Visitation will be held at Stewart Family Funeral Home, Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 6:00 PM, with rosary to follow. Funeral services will be held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 1:30 PM, officiated by Father Luke Kalarickal, of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler. Burial will be at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in De Smet, South Dakota on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 2:00 PM with Father Cathal Gallagher officiating. He was born on November 30, 1949, in Ruidoso, New Mexico, to William Clay Marler, Jr., and Effie Ailene Marler. Mike graduated from high school in Mission, South Dakota. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City. Mike and his wife Jan moved to Tyler in 1974, where he worked as a civil engineer, earning his professional engineering license in 1987. As owner of Engineering & Safety Consultants, Mike provided structural engineering services throughout East Texas for over twenty-five years. Prior to that, his long-time engineering career included designing and developing numerous projects, ranging from high-rise buildings to college campuses. He was known to have a knack for providing solutions to complex engineering problems. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was awarded the status of Life-Time Member for his dedication and service to the profession of civil engineering. He was also a member of the National Society of Engineers and other organizations. He was a long-time member of the congregation of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler. He was a caring man and would do anything for someone in need. He loved the home he designed and built at Callender Lake where he enjoyed fishing, bird watching, and friendship. He also enjoyed golfing and pheasant hunting with his relatives in South Dakota. He fell in love with his wife’s horse, R. J., and spent many weekends with him. Mike was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving family, including his wife of forty-three years, Jan Coughlin Marler of Tyler; daughter Kara Marler-Kennedy and son-in-law Jeremy Kennedy of Houston; brother, Gary Marler and sister-in-law Vicki and their family also of Houston; and father- and mother-in-law Dale and Beverly Coughlin of Brandon, South Dakota. Other family members include Mike and Robin Coughlin and their family of Brandon, South Dakota; Judy and Jim Gillies and their family of Portland, Oregon; and Brian Coughlin of Welches, Oregon. If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to South Dakota School of Mines Foundation, 306 E. St. Joseph Street, Suite 200, Rapid City, SD, 57701, or the charity of your choice.

Michael Loy Marler

November 30, 1949 - March 17, 2015