Michael Royston
Dates
March 22, 1938 - November 2, 2021Obituary
Michael Royston, 83, of Mitchell, formerly of Ethan and Dimock, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at Avera St. Benedict Hospital in Parkston. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, November 6, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Ethan, SD. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Friday, at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM scripture service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Michael Joseph Royston was born on March 22, 1938, in Mazomanie, WI to Earl and Ann (Goltz) Royston. He spent his young childhood in Wisconsin and Iowa near the Mississippi River while his dad worked on the railroad. After his dad died when he was 10, Mike and his family moved to Ethan, SD.
He attended and graduated from Ethan High School in 1956. On January 9, 1960, Mike married Carolyn (Carol) Cross and they had 7 children. Mike worked several retail jobs until July of 1961 when he began working for the Mitchell Police Department. He worked at the Police Department for 27 years ending his career as the Assistant Chief of Police.
Mike enjoyed hunting with his boys and working outside. He would enjoy putting up the fence, then taking down the fence.... then putting it back up again. He also enjoyed riding and working on motorcycles. He loved old county music and watching Marlon Brando movies. Recently his idle time was enjoyed by putting together model cars, jigsaw puzzles, and playing solitaire.
Mike once wrote 'The highlight of my life would be becoming a father, becoming a grandfather and becoming a great-grandfather." Family was important to him. He enjoyed watching them grow up and spending time with them.
Grateful and blessed for having shared his life are his wife of almost 62 years, Carol; children, Vicki (Randy) Neve, Mike (Denise) Royston, Shane (Nancy) Royston, Tammy (Mike) Morgan, Travis Royston, and son-in-law, Gabriel Anderson; 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Anne (John) Murtha; brothers-in-law, Ray Moulin, Russ (Judy) Cross; and sister-in-law, Bev (Ken) Mikkelson.
Preceding Mike in death are his parents; infant daughter in 1962, daughter, Dawn Anderson; grandson, Zachary Morgan; brother, Tom; sister, Lynne Moulin; half-brother, Cornelius; half-sisters, Marge and Marian; and his in-laws, Doc and Helen Cross.
Sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
May he rest in peace. To the wife and family, may you cherish the good memories. God bless you all.
May you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. âœï¸