Joseph A. Alexander

Joseph A. Alexander, age 94, son of Donald and Marie (Clawson) Alexander, passed away on Friday September 28, 2012. He was a loving husband, proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Joe was a friend to all he met and never knew a stranger. He was born on May 4, 1918 in Rushville Township, Rush County, Indiana. He was preceded in death by parents, Donald and Marie (Clawson) Alexander, Step-mother, Edith (Shelby) Berry Alexander; spouses, Myra Lowene (Callahan) Alexander married March 26, 1942 she preceded him in death November 3, 2002 and Mary Carolyn (Clarkson) Alexander married December 2003 she passed away July 31, 2010; twin brother, William Ira Alexander; step-sisters, Margaret (Berry) Thurston and Helen (Berry) McKean; son, David Donald Alexander; daughter, Alice Anne (Alexander) Blume and son-in-law, Steve Bechtold. Joe graduated from Rushville High School in 1937 and was the “High Stepping” Drum Major. In 1940 he enlisted in the Army and was in the 151st Infantry 38th Division Band as a Drum Major beginning at Camp Shelby and then the 184th Army Band, Fort Benning, GA. Joe was the 6th generation of Alexander’s to farm in Rush County and was a rural letter carrier. His memberships included Main Street Christian Church, Rush County Historical Society, 50 year Past Master Mason at Phoenix Lodge No. 62, Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, Murat Shrine, Shrine Club of Rush County, and the Jackson Township Farm Bureau. Joe volunteered as a driver for cancer patients’ treatment appointments. Survived by daughters- Judy Bechtold, Gulf Breeze, FL, Carolyn Trump (Bill), Colorado Springs, CO, Nancy Craig (Ken), Greenwood, IN, Myra Alexander-Pavey, Casa Grande, AZ and Elizabeth Alexander, Phoenix, AZ. 7 Grandchildren-Chad Bechtold, Tallahasse, FL, Melissa Atherton (Ross), Gulf Breeze, FL, Brent Bechtold (Katie) St. Augustine, FL, Ann Craig, Ft. Collins, CO, Donald Blume (Jill) West Lafayette, IN, Elaine Nagel (Jerod),Ypsilanti, MI, Samantha Pavey, Columbus, OH, a brother-in-law, George Thurston of Portland, OR, a first cousin Marilyn Forsythe of Midland, MI., and 10 Great Grand-children. Services for Joe will be held at 10 AM Wednesday, October 3 at Moster Mortuary. Friends may call from 4-8PM Tuesday at the mortuary. A Masonic service will be held at 7:30 PM Tuesday evening. Burial will be at Rushville East Hill Cemetery with Pastor Sam Davenport presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

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Joseph A. Alexander

May 4, 1918 - September 28, 2012