Erma Helen (McCollum) Alexander

Erma Helen (McCollum) Alexander, 91, of Winchester, IN, passed peacefully into eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, March 18, 2024 at Waters Edge Village in Muncie, IN.

She was born on December 28, 1932, the tenth of twelve children born to Daniel and Mae (Durham) McCollum.  She attended Winchester High School. 

As an adult she enjoyed spending time playing cards with her sisters and having cookouts or pitch-in dinners.  She loved to knit, crochet and do cross-stitch.  She also loved to work all sorts of puzzles and watch game shows on TV.  

She was married to Richard (Dick) Reitenour from 1950 – 1961. They had one daughter, Pam (Larry) Tucker; 3 grandchildren, Erica (Kevin) Durant, Chad (Melissa) Lovell, Jason (Kristin) Reitenour; 5 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

She was married to Donald McLaughlin from 1963 to his passing in 1990.  Through this marriage she gained 2 daughters, Donna (Dean) Thompson, Judy (Jim) Gettings, and one son Thomas McLaughlin; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

She was married to James Alexander from 1995 to his passing in 2018.  Through this marriage she gained 2 sons James Alexander, Jr. and Mike Schopmeyer, and one daughter Connie Dieken; 6 grandchildren – Spencer and Alexandra Dieken, and Sarah, Joan, Kaitlyn and Jim Schopmeyer and 2 great-grandchildren.

She loved her families unconditionally, especially her grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald McLaughlin; husband, James Alexander; daughter, Donna Thompson; son, Thomas McLaughlin; 3 brothers, Richard, Elmer and Charles; 6 sisters, Zola, Virgie, Edith, Edna, Jean and Doris.

She is survived by her children Pam Tucker, Connie Dieken, Mike Schopmeyer and Judy Gettings; sister, Joann Smithson; brother, Jack McCollum, 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the staff of Randolph Nursing Home, Waters Edge Village and Viaquest Hospice for their compassionate care.

Friends and family may call from 10 AM to 12 PM Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Funeral service to follow at 12 PM at the funeral home with Pastor Ray Ellis and Jason Reitenour officiating.  Memorials may be sent to Spartanburg Christian Church, 6714 E 700 S, Lynn, IN  47355. Burial will be at Earlham Cemetery, Richmond, IN.

Walker Funeral Home in Winchester is entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at walkerswinchester.com.

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