Donald Joe Sisco

Donald, known to many as Don, was born on March 6, 1954, in Evansville and raised on the Steinkamp family farm, before moving into town on the west side. Don graduated from Reitz High School in 1972, went on to attend and graduate in 1973 from the Nashville Auto Diesel College. Shortly after graduating, he began working at Whayne Supply to gain experience in his field. He met his wife Celinda (Cindy), in January of 1974, through mutual friends on a blind date. He always said that when he dropped her off, he knew that she was the one he was going to marry. On a cold drive back from Central City, KY, Don proposed to Cindy in the bed of his best friends Chevy pickup… which did not have a camper shell. They were married on October 12, 1974 and four years later they started their family and had two children Tari and Joel.

Don had a strong relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was always compelled to share with those around him. He was called to be a “Watchman” from the time he was saved 49 years ago. He fervently studied the scriptures and prayed over them. He always felt called to help prepare others for the return of Christ and the end times.

While working at Whayne Supply, he was offered a job with Floyd I. Staub Excavating as their mechanic. Several years later he and a business partner started their first venture, D & L Service & Equipment which then became one of the first Vermeer Equipment dealers in the Tri-State Area. He later branched out on his own with Sisco Truck & Industrial and became the first Kubota dealership in the Tri-State Area during the mid 90’s. Upon taking on a business partner, he quickly decided to stay on his own and started over in January of 1999, what is now known as Sisco Repair & Sisco’s American Hose & Hydraulics. Sisco’s has become a name known throughout the tri-state as the ‘GO TO’ place for any kind of mechanical or hydraulic needs. He was an entrepreneur at heart and taught his kids the value in running a family business. He was always willing to take the time to mentor his employees and others that crossed his path with the knowledge he gained through his many years of being a mechanic in the industry. He always enjoyed the time he spent working alongside his son Joel, teaching him everything to carry on his legacy and the business he had built and to be able to pursue anything he set his mind to.

Don always said he was a jack of all trades and a master of none. He could be presented with any problem, and he would engineer and design ways to solve it. He built many unique pieces of equipment and components over the years for himself and others.

He enjoyed anything involving water and the outdoors from camping, tubing, sailing, swimming, wake boarding, and later found his love of scuba diving after his daughter told him how to get certified for it. He found a love for ‘Vacations’ once he got married and loved traveling to Florida to spend time with friends and spending time at the beach looking out over the ocean. After many years of coaxing, he finally got his wife to reluctantly take her first flight to Hawaii. That soon turned into several more reluctant flights to other beautiful diving locations, including when he decided to take the entire family to the Bahamas. He played banjo and was a member of several bluegrass groups over the years. He picked up Stand-up Bass, Mandolin, and Dobro. He also enjoyed playing and later singing with the family at church functions, nursing homes, and family gatherings. He was an amazing father and grandfather. He loved his wife the most and loved his kids and grandkids just as much. He loved it when he could take vacations and take the whole family or the grandkids along with him. He had a love for collecting and restoring antique tractors and had a tradition of taking every kid and grandkid on a tractor ride once they were old enough to sit with him on his lap. He loved his chickens and remembered that they were way easier to catch when he was a kid on the farm.

Don leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Celinda (Karn) Sisco, and a legacy of two children, Tari Arnecia Humbane (Sabino) of Evansville, IN and Joel Elan Sisco (Brittany) of Newburgh, IN; five grandchildren, Lillinae Humbane, LeJaelynn Humbane, Laurilyn Humbane, Elan Sisco, and Kinsley Sisco; three siblings, Joann ‘Sisco’ Carey, Linda ‘Sisco’ Reising, and Larry Sisco.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold W. Sisco and Agnes S. Sisco.

A Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 15, 2023 at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261. Family and friends may visit 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.