Sherrel Lee Haight

Sherrel Lee Haight, 65, of Mt. Pleasant passed away of natural causes Wednesday, December 7 at home. Sherrel Lee was born November 20, 1946 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the daughter of Clifford Elmer and Helen Pearl (Harman) Beasley who preceded her in death. Sherrel Lee spent most of her childhood in Saudi Arabia before returning to the states to complete high school in Fontana, CA. She earned her bachelors and masters degrees from the University of California, Riverside and her PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles. She received certificates of training from several universities. Dr. Sherrel Lee Haight was a professor of special education coming to Central Michigan University in 1974 to the then department of Special Education. This unit later evolved into what is now the Dept. of Counseling and Special Education, from which Dr. Haight retired in May of 2011 after 38 years of commitment. She was credited with introducing CMU students to innovative ideas gained from professional development all through her teaching career. Her field of specialization was learning disabilities and as such she had a major role in creating both the undergraduate and graduate programs for this specialization. Finding time to travel was important for her especially to Maui, Hawaii, where she returned many times inviting friends and family to join her. She participated in a special program for USA teachers to China, she visited many countries in Europe and also spent much time in California where her parents retired. She frequently traveled to Pittsburgh, PA visiting her family. In more recent years she had been an active volunteer at Woodland Hospice and at the CMCH information desk. Music was important to her as she enjoyed playing the piano and flute, singing in the CMU Festival Chorus and attending the Midland Symphony. She also enjoyed walking and reading. In addition to her daughter Shara (Joe) Wohlscheid and three grandchildren, Sierra, Cayden and Sadie, she is survived by and will be missed by her Friday night dining divas, her colleagues and friends. Persons interested in honoring her may make donations to the CMU Performing Arts Dept. or Woodland Hospice. A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 on Thursday, December 15 at the Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant with Rev. Robert D. Koeppen. The family will receive friends starting at 2:00 until time of service.