Rev. Msgr. Ferd. J. Melevage
Deceased: 2015-03-31
Diocese: GARY
ICTE Fall: 1975
Rev. Monsignor Ferd J. Melevage, 97, passed away on March 31, 2015 at Life Care Center of Valparaiso. Born in Port Carbon, PA, on May 31, 1917 to the late Simon G. and Susan Melvage. In 1940 his father Simon, who was a builder, moved his family to Gary, IN.
In 1932, after completing 3 years at St. Stephen’s High School in Port Carbon, Msgr. Melevage began his priesthood education at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Philadelphia PA, where he completed 2 years of prep school, 4 years of college, and 3 years of graduate studies. Cardinal Dougherty of the Philadelphia Archdiocese endorsed his transfer to the Diocese of Fort Wayne IN, completing his graduate studies at St. Mary’s Seminary in Norwood OH. He was ordained a Catholic Priest by Archbishop Noll in Fort Wayne IN on May 30, 1942 with 8 other candidates.
Msgr. Melevage spent 16 years, 1943 to 1959, at Bishop Noll Institute as a teacher, choral director, and Assistant Principal for 8 years. He attended DePaul University in Chicago, earning his Master’s Degree in American History and Education Administration. Later in 1962 to 1974, he continued his Apostolate in Catholic Education as the Superintendent of the Diocese of Gary Schools of over 28,000 students at that time.
Along with 28 years in Catholic Education, Msgr. was Pastor of 4 parishes, St. Mary of the Lake in Miller from 1959 to 1966, St. Margaret Mary in Hammond from 1966 to 1971, Notre Dame in Michigan City from 1971 to 1983, and St. Joseph in Dyer from 1983 to 1992. Besides attending to the ordinary religious obligations of the parish, each presented its own special challenge. After retiring on May 31, 1992 at age 75, Msgr. served as Senior Priest at St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso until the time of his death.
Survived by sister-in-law, Judith Melevage of Beverly Shores, IN; nieces, Lynnette (Dale) Fredericks of Crown Point, IN, Laurette (James) Karagas of Hopewell Junction, NY, and Bernadette (Ewaldis) Pakalniskis of Valparaiso, IN; nephews, Raymond of Valparaiso, IN, and Alan of Santa Ana, CA; many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond and Bernard; sister, Virginia.
Visitation will be at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1855 W. Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso IN on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 pm with the Rite of Reception of the Body at 4:00 pm, and an evening prayer at 7:30 pm. Visitation also Thursday 12:00-2:00 pm, Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Paul Catholic Church on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 2:00 pm with Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Gary. Interment, Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville IN.
Memorials may be made to the St. Paul Parish Building Fund.
