Sidney Mishkin

The family will be received friends from 5:30-7 both  Monday, Nov 1 and Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Sidney “Sid” Mishkin passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021, at the age of 84. He was born in North Charleroi, Pennsylvania, on August 29, 1937, to the late Joseph Nathan Mishkin and Edith (Bergstein) Mishkin and grew up in Donora, a western Pennsylvania steel town about sixty miles south of Pittsburgh. He was fortunate to be part of a dedicated community of about fifty Jewish families and to be raised in in the rich cultural diversity of Donora. Sid loved Donora. As he wrote in his memoir, Memories of Donora, he was always Donora Proud.

Sid graduated from Donora High School in 1955. The principal helped him become part of an early work-study program at Wilmington College, a small Quaker school in Wilmington, Ohio, where he majored in accounting and history. Thanks to the Hermann Krannert Fellowship, he was able to attend law school at Indiana University. There he met his future wife, Sharon Lasky Mishkin, in 1960. They were married in 1962 after Sid received his JD, and they then moved to Indianapolis, where they lived until Sid’s death 59 years later. Sid and Sharon had three children, Tracy, Jennifer, and Joe, and Sid practiced law for forty years. Sid said, “If you don’t have the good fortune to be born a Hoosier, have the good sense to become a Hoosier by choice.” His professional affiliations included the Indiana State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Sid renewed his connection to Judaism when he and Sharon celebrated their 25th anniversary in 1987.  In the years that followed, he served as a lay leader in many capacities, including leading services with the Loyal Daily Minyan and some High Holiday services and directing the Saturday afternoon Torah study. In 2015, he published a book entitled The Unvarnished Torah: Observations, Questions and Answers of a Jewish Lawyer, based on his years of thinking about Judaism and leading the Saturday afternoon Torah study.

Sid and Sharon traveled extensively throughout the world, visiting all seven continents. If you asked Sid about his favorite trip, he didn’t really have one, but he was always happy to tell you about the most recent one. In March 2020, Sid and Sharon took their last trip together, to the town of Churchill in Manitoba, Canada to see the Aurora Borealis. Sid especially enjoyed trips where he could meet people from tribal cultures who were not necessarily the majority in their country. When he learned that traditional African art is functional (such as an elaborately carved ritual item rather than a painting or sculpture), he steered his collecting in that direction. Jewish art similarly emphasizes function and beauty together. He also enjoyed traveling to see animals native to India and Africa such as lions, elephants, and baboons.

In 2003, Sid was diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma. Dr. Ruemu Birhiray, a very caring oncologist, led his care team. Sid celebrated his successful bone marrow transplant with a return trip to Antarctica. In his later years, he had several doctors who took excellent care of him. His final hours were eased by the compassionate nurses and doctors of Methodist Hospital.

Sid was proud that he went from being a scholarship recipient to a donor and leader at Wilmington College and at Indiana University. He endowed several scholarships and served twelve years on the Board of Trustees (2002-2014), including six years as Chair.

Sid recently made a generous donation to Hooverwood Living to aid in starting an elder abuse prevention program.  He was President of Camp Fire, Inc. while his children were involved in the organization and took an active role in their activities. Sid participated in Interfaith Alliance Indianapolis and made many lasting friendships throughout the interfaith community.

Sid was an avid tennis player since college. He enjoyed having a few cold ones with his friends after their games.

Sid was predeceased by his parents, his brother Allen Mishkin, and his nephew Michael Kramer.

Sid is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children, Tracy Mishkin (Martin Ruelas), Jennifer Mishkin-Krause (Andreas Krause), and Joe Mishkin (Kelly Lay); his sisters, Toby Kramer and Debbie Mishkin; his grandson, Ray Kelley Mishkin; and his nephews, Jim and Bob Kramer.

The funeral will take place Sunday, October 31, 2021, at Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600 W. 70th St, Indianapolis, at 2:00 PM. COVID-19 vaccination cards (or negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of entry) will be required to enter the building (ages 12+), masks are also required. Burial will follow at Beth-El Zedeck North Cemetery. Shiva details will be announced at funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, Wilmington College, Wilmington, OH, and the Maurer School of Law or the Borns Jewish Studies Program at Indiana University.

You are invited to share memories and condolences with Sid’s family and friends at www.arnmortuary.com