Melvin R. Adams

Melvin R. Adams made his transition on December 25, 2018.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 123 Helen Street with Rev. James E. Lane to officiate. Burial will follow in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be at 10 AM, Saturday, at the church until the time of service. Immediately following the interment the family will receive family and friends at Pleasant Hill Fellowship Hall, 717 East 10th Street.

Melvin Ray Adams was born to the late Mitchell Adams Sr., and Ola Mae Traywick Adams in Michigan City, Indiana on August 29, 1954. On May 15, 2009 in Waterloo, Iowa he married Lucille Bunch.

Melvin graduated from Elston Sr. High School in 1972. He was a graduate of Indiana State University, and was recently enrolled at IU/South Bend. Melvin was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Faternity and Cedar Falls, Iowa’s Knights of Pythias.

After college Melvin relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota there he completed his Journeyman's Apprenticeship and obtained his plumbing license. Melvin was employed at several maintenance companies in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Melvin also lived in Waterloo, Iowa working as a Maintenance Instructor in the Waterloo Community School District where he received accolades and recognition for his contributions. He received a Panther Award from Northern Iowa University as well as the University’s Exemplary Service Award. Most recently he was employed at the Juvenile Detention Center in LaPorte, Indiana. He was a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa under the leadership of Pastor Lovie Cadwell where he served as an usher and brotherhood.

Melvin's travels and life took him on many adventures, but in August of 2016 he reestablished residency in Michigan City. Part of Melvin's pastimes included "patrolling” the streets of his hometown and checking on the wellness of his family and friends - several times a day. He never met a stranger. 

He is survived by his wife: Lucille Adams, daughters: Malisha Johns and Sherlonda Bunch; one sister: Mattie Turner, one brother: Mitchell Adams Jr., grandchildren: Morgan Holliday, Madison Blair, Melki Brookens, De’Aundre Neal and Martaya Wortham, along with a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Clyde Roby and Major Adams, and one brother-in-law, Wilbert Turner.

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