JULY 4 • 2024 | 53
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He was a lifelong runner and
triathlete until his stroke at age
81. Active in synagogue life and
supporting Soviet Jewry, Mike
was a community builder. An avid
reader and history buff, he became a
passionate and influential volunteer
docent at the Zekelman Holocaust
Center. He was a master storyteller
with a contagious sense of humor
and a generous host who led joyous,
meaningful seders.
Mike is survived by his wife, Betsy;
his children, Amy Winkelman (Gary
Blackman), Marjorie Lesko (Pat
Lesko), Steven Winkelman (Cantor
Heather Batchelor); his grandchildren,
Emma Blackman, Bram Lesko, and
Benjamin Winkelman-Batchelor; his
brother, Sheldon Winkelman (Rissa);
sister, Sandra Helman (Dr. Jerome);
sisters-in-law, Sylvia Garrett and
Mildred Wilson; and many other
loving relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his
grandson, Lane Lesko; his sister-in-
law, Fern Selling; and brother-in-law,
Maurice Wilson.
His memory is a blessing.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park.
Contributions may be made to Adat
Shalom Synagogue, 29901 Middlebelt,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334;
Zekelman Holocaust Center, 28123
Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills,
MI 48334; or to a charity of one’s
choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
M
itchell Meisner, 80, of
Huntington Woods, died
June 20, 2024, at his home
from pancreatic cancer.
Mitch was a partner at the
Honigman law firm in Detroit,
where he worked for more than 40
years. He was highly respected by
his colleagues and clients for his
dedication, expertise, intellect
and integrity.
Mitch was born in
Washington, D.C., to Alfred
and Shirley Meisner. His
father was an attorney for
the U.S. Department of
Commerce and his mother
was a teacher who also
worked at NOAA and in
the White House under the
Carter administration.
Mitch attended Walter Johnson
High School in Bethesda, Md. He
received a B.A. in political science
from Amherst College, a master’s
degree and Ph.D. in political science
from the University of Chicago, and a
J.D. from the University of Michigan
Law School. He worked as a college
professor before moving to the legal
field.
Mitch was deeply involved in
politics beginning with the Civil
Rights Movement; he had a near-
encyclopedic knowledge of its events
and leaders. He loved to recount
his experiences during that era
and was particularly proud that he
participated in the 1963 march on
Washington, where he witnessed
Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his “I
Have A Dream” speech.
In October 1963, President
Kennedy came to Amherst College
to dedicate the Robert Frost Library.
Mitch led an on-campus student
protest directed at the president,
urging him to pass a civil rights bill.
This would turn out to be JFK’s final
speech.
In later years, Mitch’s academic
background as a professor and
his interest in international law
inspired him to become active as
a volunteer judge in the Philip C.
Jessup International Law Moot Court
Competition every February. He
never lost his love of teaching and
considered it a privilege to
mentor young law students.
He was deeply passionate
about Jessup and developed
meaningful and valued
relationships with people
from around the world. He
also found satisfaction in pro
bono legal work, volunteering
his time, knowledge and
expertise.
Mitch and his family have been
active members of Temple Emanu-
El in Oak Park for many years. He
served on multiple committees and
was the temple’s president from 2011-
2013.
Mitch had hoped to cast his vote in
this November’s presidential election.
The family asks that you get out and
vote this year, to honor his memory
and commitment to social justice.
Above all else, Mitch enjoyed
traveling and spending time with his
family; he will be greatly missed.
Mitch is survived by his wife,
Marcia; his children, Geoff
(Michelle), Amy (Tyler) and Jesse
(Christy); his brother, Jon (Caroline).
He was the proud grandfather to
seven grandsons, Isaac, Sutton, Marz,
Brady, Shay, Zevi and Elliott.
Interment was held at Clover Hill
Park Cemetery in Birmingham.
Contributions may be made to the
New Israel Fund, to the Weingarten
Children’s Center, to the International
Law Students Association or to a
charity of one’s choice. Arrangements
by Dorfman Chapel.
A Passionate Legal
Professional
Mitchell
Meisner