Claude Joseph Callahan 76, of Sunnycrest Manor, passed away Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at Sunnycrest and is now completely free from lifelong mental and physical disabilities. A celebration of his life will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, September 19, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Msgr. Thomas Thole officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Friday at the church where a parish scripture wake service will be recited at 10:30 a.m.
Claude was born on September 7, 1938 in Cascade, Iowa, the son of Eugene A. and Mary Alice (Hosch) Callahan. His fellow residents and the staff at Sunnycrest Manor delighted in Claude’s sense of humor and variety of hats. Blind and mute for decades, he now can see and express himself in his resurrected life.
Surviving are his siblings, Eugene (Joanne) Callahan of Western Springs, IL, Roger (Mary) Callahan of Colfax, IA, Joyce Burke of Menomonee Falls, WI, Sr. Judy Callahan, BVM of Dubuque, IA, Lois (Charles) Mast of Whitewater, WI, W. Jerry (Bonnie) Callahan of Cascade, IA, Stanley (Karen) Callahan and Quentin Callahan both of Bernard, IA and Mary Lou Callahan of Jackson, WI. Also surviving are 42 nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Maurice “Red” Callahan and Phillip Callahan; a sister-in-law Lorelei Callahan and a brother-in-law, Thomas Burke.
A Claude Joseph Callahan memorial fund has been established.
Claude’s family would like to thank the staffs at Sunnycrest Manor and Hospice of Dubuque for their loving care and support over the past 33 years.
The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Rd. is in charge of arrangements.