Obituaries
Obituary for John "Jerry" G. Callahan
PEORIA - John Gerald “Jerry” Callahan, 84, of Peoria passed away at 10:56 p.m. Thursday, November 21, 2013, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. Jerry was born at home in Peoria on January 28, 1929, to Michael and Elsie (Holtke) Callahan. He married Mary Johanna O’Neill on September 11, 1971, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Wyoming, IL. She survives. He is also survived by his nieces, Kathy (Jerry) Hayes and Dee Ford; great-nieces, Cindy (Todd) Collins, Vicky (Mike) Stoughton, and Jen and Charleen Yoh; great-nephews, Mike and Bob Yoh; and three great-great-nieces and nephews; brothers and sisters-in-law, Judy O’Neill of Peoria, Peg (Dan) Stanton of Antioch, IL, John (Sharon) O’Neill of Cary, NC, Don (Julie) O’Neill of Princeville, and Mark O’Neill of Washington, IL; nieces and nephews, Sean (Emily) Stanton of Philadelphia, Erin (Blair) Dillon of Chicago, Caitlin Stanton of Chicago, Greg (Erin) O’Neill of Mundelein, IL, Christina (Omar Palacios) O’Neill of Morrisville, NC, Matthew (Katy) O’Neill of Cary, NC, Stephanie Wright of Oswego, IL, Terri (Ryan) Farrell of Oswego, IL, Andrew O’Neill of Oswego, IL, Randall O’Neill of Princeville, John O’Neill of Washington, IL, and Dan O’Neill of Columbia, MO; and eleven great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Frank Callahan; sisters, Anne Callahan and Eleanor Shepherd; sisters-in-law, Marion Callahan, Marcia O’Neill, and Agnes O’Neill; and brother-in-law, Russ Shepherd. Jerry was educated in Peoria schools, attending primary grades at Blaine-Sumner, St. John’s, and Roosevelt. He graduated from Manual Training High School in 1947 and Bradley University in 1957 with a bachelor of science. He served with the US Army Signal Corp from 1951-1953 in the 313th Signal Battalion, Radio Company, serving during the Korean War. He later worked for 42 years with Caterpillar Inc. Technical Center, retiring on January 28, 1994. Jerry fenced with the Heart of Illinois Fencing Club; and he enjoyed golf. He was a Cub Scout leader, coached soccer, and was involved in Vacation Bible School for a number of years at St. Philomena. On February 9, 2003, he received the St. George Award for significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through scouting. Jerry was a member of St. Patrick’s Society, Friends of Clonmel, Peoria Area Religious Vocation Support Group, Cursillo Community, Caterpillar Employees Mixed Chorus, Caterpillar Retirees Club, and St. Brendan’s Irish Society. He was a former member of the Arrowhead Country Club. Jerry was a wonderful husband, uncle, great-uncle, and friend. He will be greatly missed. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2013, at St. Philomena Catholic Church. Father David Richardson will officiate. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, November 25, 2013, at Wright & Salmon Mortuary, with recitation of the Rosary at 4:45 p.m. An additional visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the Mass at the church. Entombment will be in Resurrection Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to St. Philomena Catholic Church or the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception Retirement Fund. Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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