Merrillville Lions History
Chartered October 21, 1946
Past District Governors (25A)
Don Duran 1969-1970
John Eich 1980-1981
Melvin Jones Fellows
The Melvin Jones Fellowship (MJF) is the backbone of our foundation. Presented to those who make tremendous contributions to humanity and to the legacy of our founder, Melvin Jones.
Don Duran 1987
John Eich 1991
Paul Franko 1993
John S. King 1996
Elizabeth L. Erdelles 2011
W.P. Woods Fellows
The W.P. Woods award was established April 22, 1995. This award was established to honor the first president of Lions International W.P. Woods who was an Indiana Lion from Evansville.
Richard T. Miyamoto Fellows
The Miyamoto Fellowship was established to honor Lions and others for their dedication to those in need in their communities and around the world. Dr. Richard T. Miyamoto is known for his work in cochlear implants for children. Dr. Miyamoto's pioneering work has been recognized around the world, and he continues his close relationship with the Lions of Indiana.
"Top Club" Award District 25A
Top Club 1995-1996
Top Club 1996-1997
Hosted District 25A Convention Indiana Lions State Convention
2000 Radisson Star Plaza- Merrillville 2009- Radisson Star Plaza- Merrillville
2009 Radisson Star Plaza- Merrillville 2012 Radisson Star Plaza- Merrillville
2013 Radisson Star Plaza- Merrillville
2023 Dean & Barbara White Community Center- Merrillville
Past Presidents
Russell T. Williams 1946-1947 1985-1986
Gilbert A. Blum 1947-1948 1986-1987
Andrew J Kreiter 1949-1949 1987-1988
Clarence A Walter 1949-1950 1988-1989
Arthur W. Hollingshead 1950-1951 1989-1990
Howard A Townsley 1951-1952 1990-1991
Fred I Iddings 1952-1952 1991-1992
Willis F Saxton 1953-1954 1992-1993
Ralph C Loyce 1954-1955 1993-1994
Fred Lennertz 1955-1956 1994-1995
J. Elmer Stowell 1956-1957 1995-1996
Eric Erickson 1957-1958 John Eich 1996-1997
Joe Eich 1958-1959 1997-1998
Oscar Huth 1959-1960 1998-1999
Viegil Johnson 1960-1961 1999-2000
Kenneth Gray 1961-1962 2000-2001
Robert Pine 1962-1963 2001-2002
Donald Duran 1963-1964 Elizabeth Erdelles 2002-2003
John Eich 1964-1965 Elizabeth Erdelles 2003-2004
Nicholas Krisko 1965-1966 Elizabeth Erdelles 2004-2005
Robert Shepherd 1966-1967 Elizabeth Erdelles 2005-2006
Arthur Goetscnel 1967-1968 Mike Minogue 2006-2007
William Smith 1968-1969 Elizabeth Erdelles 2007-2008
1969-1970 Elizabeth Erdelles 2008-2009
1970-1971 Elizabeth Erdelles 2009-2010
1971-1972 Elizabeth Erdelles 2010-2011
1972-1973 Elizabeth Erdelles 2011-2012
1973-1974 Vernon Schwietzer 2012-2013
1974-1975 John Erdelles/Vernon Schwieitzer 2013-2014
1975-1976 Caril Miano 2014-2015
1976-1977 Mike Minogue 2015-2016
1977-1978 Mike Minogue 2016-2017
1978-1979 Mike Minogue 2017-2018
1979-1980 Ellen Hennessy 2018-2019
1980-1981 Ellen Hennessy 2019-2020
1981-1982 Ellen Hennessy 2020-2021
1982-1983 Ellen Hennessy 2021-2022
1983-1984 Jay Ferrell 2022-2023
1984-1985 Jay Ferrell 2023-2024
Royce Hyndman, Dick Pluth Mike Minogue 2024-2025
****If you have any information on a Past President that we seem to be missing, please email us at merrillvillelionsclub@gmail.com
