(Michigan City, IN) - A Michigan City woman is out to cancel the memory of a former official serving practically a life sentence for child molesting.

 

John Rudisell, who was the Michigan City harbormaster, has been in prison for 25 years.  Authorities said the molestations occurred after he lured numerous boys to his home over an extended period of time.

 

Rudisell was also heavily involved as a volunteer with the La Porte County 4-H program.

 

His name remains on a few plaques like the one at the public bath house at Washington Park beach marking the role of Rudisell and others in its construction in 1995. 

 

Resident Carlie Dunn, 33, said she just learned last week about the plaques and what Rudisell was convicted of doing.  Dunn said she will ask the Michigan City Park Department and the Port Authority to remove his name.

 

“I think this is something the community can get behind,” she said.

 

Dunn said she’s mostly concerned about the impact on Rudisell’s many victims if they still live around here and see his name if they go to the beach along with the negative message about continuing to honor such a man if it were to continue.

 

“I wouldn’t want that person to be reminded of the horrific abuse they’ve had to endure,” she said.

 

Rudisell, now 64, is serving his time at the state-run correctional facility in Pendleton.  His earliest release date is in February of 2025, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.