Ruby "Mae" (Carr) Beher-Sturm, age 99 of Elwood and formerly of Summitville, died Monday, April 29, 2013 at Community Parkview Care Center in Elwood following a brief illness. She was born August 2, 1913 in Carmi, Illinois, the daughter of Walter and Nora A. (Neal) Carr. Mae worked as a cashier for over 25 years at Eavey's Supermarket in Anderson and later retired from Cox's Supermarket in Alexandria in 1978 after more than 10 years of service. Mae also previously worked at Frazier's Canning Factory in Elwood; and she work alongside her husband on their family farm. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School and later graduated in 1931 from Elwood High School. Mae married Merrill Beher October 30, 1936. Also in 1936, she won the title of Tomato Harvest Queen in Elwood. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria and had also attended St. Joseph Church in Elwood for many years. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, the Victory Home Demonstration Club, and the Loyal War Mother's Association. Mae was also proud of working with the local "surgical dressings unit" during the Vietnam War, which produced medical supplies for the military. Following the death of her first husband, Mae later married Willis A. Sturm on May 26, 2001. She also formerly volunteered at the Alexandria Food Bank and at Mercy Hospital in Elwood for many years. She enjoyed gardening, working with flowers, cooking, and baking. Mae was especially known for baking delicious cherry pies.

Mae's family includes daughter, Marilyn Grande' of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; 2 sons, Thomas (wife Nancy) Beher of Summitville and Daniel (wife Linda) Beher of Leisure; sister, Joan Baker of Elwood; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many loving friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband who died October 13, 1987, Merrill Beher; 2nd husband who died October 15, 2012, Willis A. Sturm; daughter, Dorothy "Dottie" Wise; 5 brothers, James Carr, Bernard Carr, Michael Carr; Thomas Carr, and Joseph Carr; and 2 sisters, Helen Nowosielski and Martha Trissell.

A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at St. Mary's Church in Alexandria with Father Dan Duff officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation for family and friends will take place from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, May 3, 2013 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood. A Rosary Prayer Service will be conducted at 6:00 PM on Friday evening at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Parkview Care Center Activity Fund through the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.copherfeslermay.com.