Indiana shop carves massive MJ monument

RICHMOND, Ind. (WISH) - Michael Jackson's final resting place hasn't been revealed yet, but a massive 5,000 pound monument detailing his life is certain to be a tourist destination in Gary. The block of black granite is being transformed into the story of the King of Pop's journey to super stardom.

Senthil Muruganantham is CEO of his family-owned monument business that recently expanded from India to Indiana. While watching the Jackson memorial Tuesday, he decided to donate a monument in honor of the icon. He called the mayor of Gary, got the go-ahead and got busy designing the two-sided, $26,000 tribute.

“I grew up listening to his songs, even though I was born in India,” said Muruganantham. "And, I came up with an idea and I start, let's do it for fun."

The front of the display depicts Jackson's life from his birth in Gary to his death in L.A.

Stone Plans monuments in Richmond is charged with carving out the monument.

Sales representative Andy Mendenhall said, “With our facilities here, we do everything in-house. So we are really the only ones capable of putting something together this quickly."

On the back of the monument, the words to Jackson's song "Gone Too Soon" are etched. Jackson dedicated that song to Indiana's own Ryan White, who died of AIDS.

"One of the things that hit me during the ceremony was Usher crying and singing ‘Gone Too Soon'. It's a beautiful lyric of Michael Jackson and who would have ever thought it would be a fitting lyric for himself and I thought that should be a part of the design," said Muruganantham.

Muruganantham said he's been told the monument will be permanently installed outside a future Michael Jackson museum in Gary.

"I would feel like a part of Jackson's family legacy," he said.

Stone Plans will deliver the monument to Gary Friday. Gary city officials tell Muruganantham that Michael Jackson's father, Joe, will unveil it during the 6 p.m. tribute.

24-Hour News 8 will be in Gary Friday for that memorial service.