Joe E. Callahan's Obituary
Joe Eldon Callahan, local farmer and cattleman, passed away April 1, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Joe is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maxine (Spurgeon) and his five children: Linda Hogan and husband Leon of Annandale, New Jersey Shirley Cunningham and husband Gene of Pittsburg, Kansas Jarold Callahan and wife Jennifer of Edmond, Oklahoma Tommy Callahan and wife Sherri of Welch, Oklahoma And Nancy Callahan of Stillwater, Oklahoma. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren -Brian Callahan, Tracie Callahan Poage, Ryan Callahan, Amber Cunningham Moorman, Clay Cunningham, Mindy Callahan Collins, Amanda Callahan Winfrey, Cole Callahan, Mattie Callahan Daily and nine great grandchildren-Michael Callahan, Kathryn Callahan, Jake Callahan, Bryce Poage, Sydney Poage, Jaxon Winfrey, Cooper Moorman, Brynlea Collins, and Dax Collins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick (Bus) and Opal (McRae) Callahan, of rural Welch, Oklahoma. Joe was born on January 13, 1931 in Lindsey, California and was raised in Craig County, Oklahoma. He graduated from Labette County Community High School in 1947 at the age of sixteen with a trade school diploma in mechanics. He and Maxine met while in high school and were married on December 29, 1950. They lived south of Edna, Kansas while Joe farmed and worked for various companies including Continental Can and M & S Tools while saving for their own farming operation. They moved to the current family farm northwest of Welch in 1960 and continued farming an ever-expanding operation for the rest of his life. Joe loved his wife, farming, children, challenging mechanical projects, antique tractors and Johnny Cash. He received numerous awards, including Bluestem Rancher of the Year in 1981, Outstanding Farm Family of Welch, Oklahoma in 1990 and the Oklahoma Governor's Conservation Award in 1995. In addition, he served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Bartlett Co-Operative as well as the Craig County Agriculture Soil Conservation Service (ASCS) Committee. A funeral is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 4, 2015 at the Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Welch, Oklahoma. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2015 at the Thomas Funeral Home. Interment will be at the North Edna Cemetery. Serving as casket bearers will be Brian Callahan, Brian Moorman, Lenny Poage, Cole Callahan, Clay Cunningham, Ryan Callahan, Jeremy Collins, Trent Daily, and Kyle Winfrey. Honorary casket bearers will be Delbert Rexwinkle, Kenny Stice, Stanley DeWall, Harry Swalley, and Arno Testerman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice or Bartlett Volunteer Fire Department or Welch Fire Department.
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