Alpha M. McMinds, age 98 – a lifelong resident of Elwood, died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at Community Parkview Care Center in Elwood. She was born April 12, 1915 in Curtisville, the daughter of Frank and Mamie (Swango) Balser. She worked for many years as a sales clerk for R.L. Leeson & Sons Department Store and later for the Town & Country Store and Tam's Drug Store in Elwood. Alpha attended Elwood schools, and was a lifetime member of the Elwood Lady Eagles Auxillary. She was a former member of the First Baptist Church in Elwood. She enjoyed sewing, oil painting, playing Yahtzee, and was an avid Chicago Cubs baseball fan. Alpha was a devoted mother and grandmother and especially enjoyed watching all her grandchildren's sporting events, which she rarely missed.

Alpha's family includes a daughter, ViAnn (husband Tony) Barber of Elwood; sister Rosemary Jones of San Antonio, Texas; 2 grandchildren, Shawn (wife Wendy) Smith of Pleasant Lake and Stacey Trueblood of Elwood; 4 great-grandchildren, Harley Trueblood, Dalton Trueblood, Haley Smith and Jayden Smith; 2 nieces, Judy Osborne and Jodi Sinclair; and nephew, John Balser.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband Herman McMinds; 2 sisters, Vivian Hunter and Anne Courtney; brother, Robert Balser; nephew, Frank Balser; and longtime companion, Barney Keeton.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Ron Becker of the Main Street Wesleyan Church officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Parkview Care Center Activity Fund through the funeral home. Online condolences: www.copherfeslermay.com.