Michael David Imfeld

Michael David “Mick” Imfeld, 72, of Napa, California, went home to the Lord on Thursday, July 20, 2023, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born September 17, 1950, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Anna (Dwenger) McCullough and Steven Collins. He was adopted and raised by Nellie Arnold and Charles Edward Imfeld.

Mick grew up as an only child in Middletown, Ohio before attending Ohio State University. After earning a bachelor’s degree cum laude in psychology in 1972, he moved to California, where he attended the University of California, Hastings College of Law, graduating in 1977. He was active on campus, forming programs for autistic children, serving on the student council, working with the indigent criminal assistance program, and moot court, as well as working as a law clerk for Judge Kennedy, S.F. Superior Court from the mid to late 1970s. Mick built a successful career as a lawyer, but it was only ever his job, not his life.

Mick’s love for both fast cars and the law started early in life. As a child, he made a soap box car with a friend. While testing it on the road, a police officer stopped him and ordered it off the road. With the infinite patience of a child, Mick went around the corner…and right back onto the road. He was arrested when the officer saw him again and his father had to attend Juvenile Court. The judge dismissed the charges. While his father was angry and frustrated—Mick was elated. 

Mick found the love of his life in Mayen “May” Shueh, and they were married on July 10, 2004, in Napa California. They enjoyed 19 years of devoted marriage until his passing.

He fathered two children in a previous marriage, Daniel and Havilah, and though he enjoyed an active, successful career, his proudest accomplishment was his children.

Mick happily dedicated his life to Christ and lived as a devout Christian. While he passionately served the church, he never became a Deacon because he wanted to remain available to legally defend the church if ever called upon to do so.

In all things, Mick used his talents not just for personal gain, but to serve God and help others. During the early 1990s, he co-founded the Western Center for Law and Religious Freedom, during which time he represented pro-life protestors in police brutality and free speech cases. Even as Mick’s professional focus later moved on to real-estate and loans, he still made time to do good — his efforts included representing churches against unfair planning commissions, and helping people who he felt were being cheated and needed proper legal help.

His favorite habits included spending time with his children and grandchildren, motorcycles and fast cars, listening to and recording an eclectic taste in music, playing guitar, and traveling. Mick participated in several “Iron Butt” marathon motorcycle rides and rode his Harley Sportster and Honda Gold Wing thousands of miles across most of the western United States. Mick was retired and had plans to purchase a boat to enjoy the water.

Music played a significant role in his life. In addition to playing guitar, mixing, and recording music, he ran the church soundboard when necessary. Mick loved blues, jazz, Christian music, classic rock, and much more. He disliked pretentious people who focused on prestige and status at the expense of their fellow human beings.

He was thrilled to have discovered his extended family in 2018, growing his family by 11 brothers and sisters on his birth mother’s side and three siblings on his birth father’s side. He and May traveled to meet most of them and maintained active communication.

Mick was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Charles Imfeld and Nellie Arnold, and his birth parents, Steven Collins and Anna (Dwenger) McCullough.

He is survived by his wife, May Imfeld; children, Daniel Joseph (Bernice) Imfeld, of Kauai, Hawaii, and Havilah (Chris) McGinnis of Yellow Springs, Ohio; grandchildren, David and Joseph Imfeld; siblings through his birth mother: Donna (Terry) Swinford, Patricia (Mark) Carson, Margaret (George Rhorig, deceased), Beverly (Bill) Maggard, David (Linda, deceased) McCullough, Sharon (Val, deceased) Drake, Carolyn (Steve, deceased) Richards, Simon Harry (Mary) McCullough, Ruth (George, deceased) Griffith, Willie (Debbie) McCullough, and Glen (Angie) McCullough; three siblings on his birth father’s side; and numerous extended family members.

In accordance with Mick’s wishes, he will be cremated and his family will plan a celebration of life at a later date, possibly with a gathering for friends and family and California, and another in Indiana for friends and family in the Midwest.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mick’s name to Life Legal Defense Foundation, PO Box 2105 Napa CA 94558. Online condolences may be left for the family at jn142@comcast.net.

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