Cheryl Elise (Mickelson) Little, 87, of Imlay City, died Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 at Serene Gardens Assisted Living of Imlay City. She was born May 30, 1936 in San Francisco, the daughter of the late Vernon and the late Priscilla (Wightman) Mickelson.
She grew up in Sacramento area and moved in 1944 with her family to Washington D.C., followed by Shaker Heights, Ohio and Birmingham. Cheryl had lived several years on her small farm near Leonard. Recently (the last three years) she had lived at Serene Gardens Assisted Living in Imlay City, where she was surrounded by the staff that had become like family, where she was loved and cherished.
Cheryl is a graduate of Birmingham High School. She continued her education after high school and attended Antioch College in Ohio, earning her bachelor’s degree in social work. Cheryl then attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and earned her master’s degree in psychiatric social work. Later in life, she attended Saginaw Valley State University and earned her master’s degree in special education.
She owned and operated a private practice as a psychiatric social worker in Rochester Hills from 1975 to 2000. Cheryl became employed as a Special Education Teacher for Macomb Intermediate School District in 2000 and retired in 2008. Early in her career, she was employed as a social worker at Pontiac State Hospital.
Cheryl is survived by her daughter, Heather (John Austin) Lynd Little of Shelby Township; son, Michael Kingsley Little of Leonard; her sister, Linda (Edward) Marcuse of Seattle; grandchildren, Chase Ryan Dietrich, Duncan Michael Little, Sage Alice Little, Gavyn Kingsley Little and Orion Happly Little; nephews, Andrew (Katie) Mickelson and Nick ( Deb) Mickelson.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Priscilla Michelson; and her former husband, Jack Ryan Little.
A private family memorial is being planned for the spring time at the family farm. Arrangements for Cheryl’s cremation have been entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home of Imlay City, 225 North Main Street, Imlay City, MI. Please be sure to sign the online register at www.muirbrothersfh.com to share condolences and memories with the Little family.
