Walter M. Alexander

Walter M. Alexander, 88, of Shelbyville, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013 at Heritage House of Shelbyville. He was born February 14, 1925, in Sharon, Pennsylvania to Walter L. and Virginia “Ginger” (DeNio) Alexander. Walter married Betty Samoros on January 1, 1954, and she survives. Other survivors include his daughters, Jane E. (husband, Dan) Runshe of Waldron and Jean A. Teal of Shelbyville; sister, Virginia “Ginny” Thompson of Naples, Florida; grandchildren, Rhiannon (husband, Bryan) Price of Woodbridge, Virginia, Nicole (husband, Joel) Reitz of Greenwood, Amy (husband, Josh) Butler of Indianapolis, Amber (husband, Mike) Huseman, Jacob Teal and Adam Teal, all of Shelbyville, Craig Runshe of Monticello and Adrienne Runshe of Waldron; great-grandchildren, Drew and Evan Price, Ethan Iverson and Ava Reitz, Logan, Mackenzie and Aubrey Butler, Jaxon Huseman and Elizabeth Runshe; daughter-in-law, Victoria Alexander and caregiver, Brenda Coffey. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, John M. Alexander and a brother-in-law, Robert F. Thompson. Walter graduated from Sharpsville High School in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania in 1943, and from the University of Pittsburgh in 1946 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Shelbyville where he served as a Trustee, an Elder, a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir for over 40 years. He was past president of Shelbyville Rotary Club and past president of Shelbyville Habitat for Humanity. Walter formerly worked at Pittsburgh Plate Glass, CertainTeed, and Knauf Insulation as an Industrial Engineer, retiring in 1990. He had a great love for his family and his faith was extremely important to him. He loved to play tennis, playing past the age of 80. He loved to be outdoors tending his vegetable garden, working in the yard and taking long walks. In retirement he began working with stained glass making beautiful lamps and window hangings. In later years, he enjoyed watching and listening to Gaither DVD’s. A gathering of friends will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at First Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway St. in Shelbyville. A Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church, with Rev. Mark Morningstar officiating. Services entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, in care of Freeman Family Funeral Homes, 819 S. Harrison St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or First Presbyterian Church, 124 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.