Michael Lloyd Mardell

     Our beloved first-born son Michael Lloyd Mardell, (Mikey) age 55, died peacefully in his Sun City, Arizona, condominium on November 14, 2025, his beloved Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog, Danny, by his side guarding him.

     Although born with a disability, Mikey was fiercely independent. He was a wanderer who liked to travel. He grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota and graduated from Rosemount High School and attended some Vo Tech automotive classes.  Eventually he moved to western Wisconsin for several years and then to Duluth Minnesota. The cold weather drove him to move to Scottsdale, AZ and then to Vallejo, CA for a number of years, where the weather was moderate---not too hot and not too cold.  In Vallejo he found a community who accepted him as he was—disability and all.  He was a kind and sweet soul.  There in 2023 he found a stray Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy and adopted him.  That’s his dog Danny, his most faithful companion. 

     Upon turning 55, he moved into Sun City, AZ and lived in a condominium half way between his parents’ home and his brother’s family. He was so excited that he was finally old enough to join Sun City Clubs and participate fully!  Among those he joined was the Sun City Vintage Vehicle Car Club.  He’d been fascinated with toy cars since age 2 and had become very knowledgeable about classic cars, engines, body styles, etc.   In addition, he had an extensive hobby collection of classic car models which he displayed in his home.

     For years he had been interested in making custom sewn T-shirts. He joined the Sun City Sew n Sew Club. Upon finishing his classes on the various equipment, he enjoyed getting to know some of his fellow Club members.  The embroidery machine enabled him to make a custom pocketed card holder embroidered with the logo for Vintage Vehicle Car Club. Upon joining the Sun City Silvercrafts Club, he made a custom silver bracelet. In Ceramics Club he had started working on a Bearded Dragon lizard for his niece whose pet bearded dragon had died.  He wrote beautiful cards and discussed scripture with his nephew. In Lapidary Club he had started making a Bolo tie for his brother.

        On May 7th he collapsed and overnight became an Autoimmune Latent Type 1.5 Diabetic and thankfully was rushed to the hospital in time to be saved. He enjoyed six months and a week more life before being called home to the Lord.  Mikey was very religious and enjoyed Bible study classes and studying the Bible.  He had joined a Sun City church and had begun singing in the choir. His whole life Mikey tried hard and did the best he could. Now he’s singing in the choir of angels.  We will forever miss our very special first-born son.

     He is survived by his parents, Michael and Sarah Mardell, his brother Randall (Stephanie), nephew Jack and niece and goddaughter Ava; his Aunt Millie Caballero, cousin Melissa Becker and her daughter Hannah Becker,  Aunt Tammy (Pat) Doyle, and Uncle Jaime (Heidi) Currie, and Uncles Tim, Dan (Barbara), Steve (Charlotte), and Mark (Janine) Mardell and numerous cousins.