Wilson “Sheeto” Melerine, Jr., a resident of Chalmette, La., passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024 at the age of 82. He was born on September 21, 1942, in New Orleans, La., to Wilson Melerine, Sr. and Wyona Perez Melerine and grew up in Delacroix Island, La. Wilson served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Cold War. After his military service, he became a commercial fisherman preserving the tradition of his Los Isleños heritage. Although he dedicated most of his life to commercial fishing, he also worked for the Chrysler Corporation at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans where he contributed to the construction of booster rockets for NASA’s Apollo missions.
On November 9, 1963, Wilson married the love of his life: Evelyn Treadaway Melerine. They shared 61 wonderful years of marriage. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Mary Anne Melerine, Joycelyn Cornwall, and his stepmother Lorraine Melerine. He is survived by brothers Dwight Melerine and David Melerine, his three children Trina Melerine Graves (David J. Senez), Todd Melerine (Missy Trahan Melerine), and Chad Melerine. Wilson was a devoted grandfather to Aaron Graves, Corey Graves, and Halie Graves (James Fincher), Chelsea Melerine Tramel (Charlton Tramel), Connor Melerine, and a proud great-grandfather to Aaron Jr., Kaiden, Marlee, Harlee, and Ryder. He was cherished by his family and respected by his community for his honesty, integrity, and work ethic. Relatives and friends attended the Visitation and Funeral Mass on Monday, October 14, 2024 held at St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home, 701 W. Virtue St., in Chalmette, La. Interment: St. Bernard Memorial Gardens, Chalmette, La.