Jean Michelsen

Naoma Jean Michelsen, age 93, of Mt. Sterling, Illinois passed away at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Sunset Home in Quincy, Illinois. 

She was born July 29, 1927 in Brown County, Illinois the daughter of Clyde Warren and Birdie M. Marshall Cutforth.  She married Robert J. Michelsen on July 3, 1955 at the Timewell Baptist Church and he preceded her in death on May 4, 1995.  

Mrs. Michelsen began her teaching career in 1947 at Friendly Grove School south of Timewell, Illinois and she later taught in both Bader and Round Lake, Illinois.  Jean finished her teaching career having taught in Memphis, Tennessee schools from 1962 until 1990.  

She attended Brown County Schools and graduated from Mt. Sterling High School with the class of 1945.  Jean then attended Western Illinois Teachers College in Macomb, Illinois and continued her education at Western Illinois University and Memphis State until receiving her bachelor's degree in education.  

Mrs. Michelsen was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Sterling.  She was also a member of the Mt. Sterling American Legion Post #374 Auxiliary and was previously active in the Women of the Moose and the Retired Teachers Association.  Jean always enjoyed keeping in touch with her many friends she had known through the years and while living in Memphis she loved visiting with the patients and families at St. Judes Children's Hospital, where she made many lifelong friends. 

Survivors include 1 sister, Phyllis Akright of Mt. Sterling.  8 nieces and nephews who were like her children, Brent McCormick (Linda) of Lavonia, Michigan, Jean Akright of Springfield, Illinois, Deb Young of Eureka, Illinois, Marsha Wagner (Ed) of Mt. Sterling, Illinois, Karen Treadwell of Crystal Lake, Illinois, Richard Akright (Patti) of Aurora, Colorado, Nancy Hartmann (Jim) of Fisher, Indiana and Robert Akright (Tammy) of Mt. Sterling, Illinois.  9 great nieces and nephews, 1 great great nephew and several cousins also survive along with several members of the Michelsen family and her long time caregiver and friend, Sally Clark.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 sister Barbara McCormick, 1 brother Gordon “Bud” Cutforth and 2 brothers-in-law William McCormick and John Akright.  

We know that Jean deserves a beautiful tribute and understand that under normal circumstances many friends would love to attend.  But sadly due to the current health situation and under the direction of the local health department, the services are to be conducted with only immediate family members in attendance. Friends are encouraged to watch Jean’s services streaming live at 11:00 a.m. Monday,December 14, 2020 on the funeral home website at hendrickerfuneralhome.com.  

We also encourage the community to leave a condolence or remembrance on the website for the family. 

There will be no visitation. 

Memorials are suggested to Brown County Against Cancer, First Baptist Church of Mt. Sterling, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of the donor’s choice and may be left at or mailed to the Hendricker Funeral Home, 406 South Capitol Avenue, Mt. Sterling, IL 62353.  

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jean Michelsen, please visit our floral store.