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
Past Presidents
Russell T. Williams 1946-1947 1984-1985
Gilbert A. Blum 1947-1948 1985-1986
Andrew J Kreiter 1949-1949 1986-1987
Clarence A Walter 1949-1950 1987-1988
Arthur W. Hollingshead 1950-1951 1988-1989
Howard A Townsley 1951-1952 1989-1990
Fred I Iddings 1952-1952 1990-1991
Willis F Saxton 1953-1954 1991-1992
Ralph C Loyce 1954-1955 1992-1993
Fred Lennertz 1955-1956 1993-1994
J. Elmer Stowell 1956-1957 1994-1995
Eric Erickson 1957-1958 1995-1996
Joe Eich 1958-1959 John Eich 1996-1997
Oscar Huth 1959-1960 1997-1998
Viegil Johnson 1960-1961 1998-1999
Kenneth Gray 1961-1962 1999-2000
Robert Pine 1962-1963 2000-2001
Donald Duran 1963-1964 2001-2002
John Eich 1964-1965 Elizabeth Erdelles 2002-2003
Nicholas Krisko 1965-1966 Elizabeth Erdelles 2003-2004
Robert Shepherd 1966-1967 Elizabeth Erdelles 2004-2005
Arthur Goetscnel 1967-1968 Elizabeth Erdelles 2005-2006
William Smith 1968-1969 Mike Minogue 2006-2007
1969-1970 Elizabeth Erdelles 2007-2008
1970-1971 Elizabeth Erdelles 2008-2009
1971-1972 Elizabeth Erdelles 2009-2010
1972-1973 Elizabeth Erdelles 2010-2011
1973-1974 Elizabeth Erdelles 2011-2012
1974-1975 Vernon Schwieitzer 2012-2013
1975-1976 John Erdelles/Vernon Schweitzer 2013-2014
1976-1977 Carol Miano 2014-2015
1977-1978 Mike Minogue 2015-2016
1978-1979 Mike Minogue 2016-2017
1979-1980 Mike Minogue 2017-2018
1980-1981 Ellen Hennessy 2018-2019
1981-1982 Ellen Hennessy 2019-2020
1982-1983 Ellen Hennessy 2020-2021
1983-1984 Elllen Hennessy 2021-2022
Royce Hyndman, Dick Pluth Jay Ferrell 2022-2023
****If you have any information on a Past President that we seem to be missing, please email us at merrillvillelionsclub@gmail.com
