(Michigan City, IN) - A former Mr. Indiana has been chosen as Humanitarian of the Year in Michigan City, with Melvin Meriweather, Jr. having previously been recognized for his bodybuilding as Mr. Indiana nine years after he graduated from Elston High School in 1957.

 

He was nominated by a couple who described him as a “prime example of a person who is fully committed to the well-being and betterment of all the people in his community.”

 

Meriweather has served two terms on the Michigan City Area Schools Board of Trustees and continues to serve as a Deacon for New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He retired from Midwest Steel, where he was the only minority millwright for 25 years, according to the mayor’s office.

Meriweather noted that his desire to give back to the community stems from his childhood, saying “I come from a large family. My parents had nine children. We always got things from service organizations for Christmas and Thanksgiving."

 

He and his wife, Juliet, have been married for 65 years. 

 

Meriweather will be presented with the award during a reception on June 13th from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Krueger Memorial Hall at 801 Liberty Trail.