Alpha L. Wilson, age 90 of Portage passed away Monday, June 6, 2011 at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. She was born on July 8, 1920 to the late Alfred and Nora (nee Bates) Beard. She worked for Illinois Bell retiring in 1974. Alpha was a longtime area resident and a member of the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park.

She is survived by 3 children, Linda D. (Larry) Shadley of Portage, IN; Mary M. Lush of Portage, IN; Marvin F. Wilson of Portage, IN; 3 grandchildren, Larry (Christina) Shadley II, Sherry (Edward) Howard, Steven D. (Katharine) Lush, great-grandchildren, Theodore and Ashley Shadley, Victoria and Emily Howard, Zack Griffin, Reno Hilton, Steven L. Lush, Andrew, Celeste, Alex, and Brandon Phelps, 1 great-great grandchild, Aven Griffin, special family member, Charles Zeck, and Alpha's best girl, Marlene Jacobs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Wilson Jr., 3 brothers, Martin Luther "Buster", Ernest Paul, and Raymond Beard, 1 sister, Mary Lee Beard, and 1 son-in-law, Steven C. Lush.

Funeral services are Wednesday, June, 8, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Brady Chapel, 3781 Central Ave., Lake Station with Chaplain Craig Forwalter officiating. Entombment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, IN. Visitation is Tuesday, June 7, 2011 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Brady Chapel. Call (219) 962-1606 or online at www.Reesfuneralhomes.com.