“Rita did not wear purple every day of her life, but it is difficult to remember a time when she didn’t,” her family wrote in a tribute. “Purple represented the regal, outgoing, and joyful spirit that Rita brought to everything she did with her family, friends, and community. 

“Rita Jane Garn, 74 years old, of Toms River, New Jersey, died on Aug. 25, 2025.

“Rita was born in Altamont, Illinois in 1950 to John and Aleda Milleville who raised a robust family of ten children. The Milleville family ran a vibrant dairy farm for many decades.

“After she graduated from Altamont Community High School, Rita attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. While at SIU, Rita met James Curtis Alexander who was the father of her only child, Christopher James Alexander.

“Rita did not join the U.S. military; however, she supported the armed forces throughout her life. Rita married Curt Alexander who served over 25 years in the Army, mothered Chris who served 9 years in the Air Force, and later married Wayne Garn who enlisted for 4 years in the Air Force.

“In addition, Rita directly supported the military during her over 30-year career in the civil service at Fort Benning (Georgia), Fort Monmouth (New Jersey), and Fort Dix (New Jersey). Most of her professional career was spent at Fort Benning where she assisted thousands of young men and women at the in-processing station during their basic training. She helped her soldiers with various personal affairs to enable a successful start to their service in the United States Army.

“Rita will always be remembered for her positive spirit and the way that she improved the mood and sparked the conversation in any situation. We could not have asked for a better daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, and friend; we will miss Rita every day. Her memory lives in the hearts of all those who loved her.”

****

Rita Jane Garn is survived by her son, Chris, and his family, Juli, TJ, and Max. She is also survived by her sisters, Juanita Komasinski, Mary Ann Smith, and Lois Phillips. Her surviving brothers are Dan, Glen, Gary, and Russell. 

Her husband, Wayne Garn, died before her, as did her parents, John and Aleda Milleville; her brother, Leland Milleville; her sister, Oleta Weaver; her brother-in-law, Mark Phillips; her brother-in-law, Terry Smith; and her sister-in-law, Brenda Milleville.

Rita and Wayne were laid to rest together at Brigadier General Doyle Memorial Cemetery near their Toms River home.

Memorial contributions may be made to a military charity, such as Face The Fight.