John Cahalan, 85

John "Jack" Cahalan was born July 22, 1929 in Clermont, IA. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Roosevelt in 1947, and shortly thereafter joined the United States Navy. He served on the USS Vesole for four years during the Korean War and continued his service in the US Naval Reserves until 1991. He married Genevieve Benedic in 1967.

Jack spent his entire professional career as a purchasing manager for MRC, Westinghouse and finally NCS. Jack and Genny spent their marriage throwing elaborate parties and traveling throughout the world, but some of their finest memories were spent on Lake Delhi, Iowa and in their home away from home near Genevieve's birthplace, Damelevieres, France. Jack was a dedicated husband and devoted father who loved his family fiercely. Jack is survived by the one true love of his life Genevieve Cahalan, sister Mary Davis (Richard), son Jerry Cahalan (Denise), daughter Cathy Cahalan, daughter Sandy Sowder, daughter Michele Wolf (Dennis), and daughter Stephanie Schnoebelen (Dave).

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 9th from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the White Chapel Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Gladstone, Missouri with a service beginning at 11:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to help find a cure to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (www.psp.org/donate/ways-to-give.html), the American Diabetes Association or to Pleasant Valley Manor Care Center. (Arr: White Chapel Funeral Home, Gladstone, MO 64119, 816-452-8419, www.dwnwhitechapel.com)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Iowa City Press-Citizen on May 7, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for John Cahalan

19 Entries

May 26, 2015

to our dear friend Genevieve and family, our sincere condolences , from France, sorry we could not be with you during this trying time. We also miss Jack, and all the good times, here and in Damelevieres, b.b. Paul et Danielle Kisting in Dubuque Ia.

May 19, 2015

Ok here goes. I have been wondering how I could put into a few words what Jack meant to me and also my career at Westinghouse, NCS and now Pearson. He meant everything to me. I came to Westinghouse as a naive 19-year old hoping to land a job at a company I heard was hiring. Applied for two positions and was offered both jobs but had to decide which one. Well, of course the job in Purchasing with the sweet little (I stood over him by a few inches!) manager called Jack Cahalan. He liked that I knew shorthand and I thought to myself "Purchasing sounds fun and spending someone else's money could be also!".

It was the best choice I ever made and I learned that it was fun working in Purchasing and even more fun, though, finding ways to save money and fullfill our customers (internal and external) needs in a timely and quality manner. I don't think I would have ever stayed here for 35 years in the same department if it had not been for Jack's mentoring. Lots of laughs working with you Jack. Your family and friends are better because of your love and devotion. At Jack's retirement I also gave a speech. Was scared to death and afraid I would mess up; but now I know you can never mess up if you do your best and show everyone what you have learned from others: KINDNESS AND DEVOTION! Sincerely, Sue(Dunlap) Rugger.

Cheryl Cullers-Hoard

May 12, 2015

Sandy and family, SO sorry to hear about your dad. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Cheryl Cullers- Hoard

Laura Habighorst

May 11, 2015

Michelle, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. He sounds like a wonderful man. God bless all of you.

Gary Wolf

May 10, 2015

I worked with jack. He was born in my hometown so we shared many stories and memories. He was a true gentleman and a gem of a person! My deepest sympathies.

Jenni Reno

May 8, 2015

So very sorry for your loss, Michele. Your dad's obituary paints a wonderful picture of his life and his love of family. What a lucky daughter you are!! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family. Much love to you!

Nancy Pachasa

May 8, 2015

Michelle I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how painful it is. Love, Nancy

Brian Petersen

May 8, 2015

Jack was a great advisor, mentor and friend. He will be truly missed. My deepest condolences to Genny and her family.

Gerry Balvanz

May 8, 2015

I worked with Jack my entire career and he was a greatt guy easy to get along with when confronted with business problems. We had a great relationship. Gerry Balvanz

Vicki (Junkins) Baumgart

May 8, 2015

I'll always remember my sleepovers with my dear childhood friend, Michele, and thinking how cool her mom and dad were to me. What a beautiful story of how Jack and Genny met each other. I don't remember knowing that fact. You all will be kept in my prayers. Love ya Michele.

May 7, 2015

Jack was one of the kindest and thoughtful people around. I remember after Grandpa died, Jack was going to Iowa, and he drove 60 miles a day to school so Grandma wouldn't have to stay alone at night. Not a lot of sons would do that! Linda Fairburn

May 7, 2015

We met Jack and Ginny at Lake Delhi and have so many great memories of all the fun times we had with them. They were just made for each other and I still tell the story of their first date.. Also remember all of us tubing down the river and even taking her elderly Mom with us!! My prayers are with you Ginny and your family. Love, JoAnn and Leo

Sharon Wiley

May 7, 2015

To Michele Wolf and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I know what a painful thing it is to lose the love of your life. My condolences to Jack's beloved Bride and to his children all. I will say a prayer for you all tonite.

Bob and Jan Froehle

May 7, 2015

We remember the great times spent at Lake Delhi with Jack and Genny
. Our sympathy to Genny and her family.

Ben Cahalan

May 7, 2015

With Grandpa its hard to know where to even start. Christmas on Penfro was always great with the fireplace downstairs, the chair that Melanie, Kaely, and I always made in to a fort. The Easter Sundays with so many eggs hidden. Most memorable for me was the trips to Lake Delhi. Starting at the age of 5 he would pick me up after school in his 5 speed manual transmission Chevy S10, pillows and blankets arranged in the bed of the truck for the 45 minute drive, arriving in Delhi we would always stop at the gas station that offered the biggest ice cream cone you could build and he would always say don't tell your Grandma :). We would take trips to Campo for dinner on the lake where Grandpa would make sure I had a steady supply of quarters for Pacman. My Grandfather taught me to ski when I was 5. Tubing, the torpedo, kneeboard, skiing, to Grandpa it didn't matter what we did as long as we were enjoying our time on the lake.

I learned unconditional love from my Grandfather. It didn't matter what happened or what he was doing he always showed the love he had for Grandma. Every couple has their struggles but as a young man growing up I got to watch how a real man deals with those things and lets his love shine through. With his children or grandchildren it didn't matter what we did he would pick us up and put us on right track. One time I ran a tractor in to the lake, completely submerged it in the bottom of the lake! I can remember the only thing I was concerned about was Grandpa being disappointed in me. Grandpa took me home, grounded me from the lake that summer, at the age of 12 this was a really big deal! But Grandpa never held it over my head, it cost them a lot money to fix that tractor, but he knew I learned my lesson and considered that lesson worth the price paid. He knew that every young man had lessons to learn and he taught me you have to pay the price for those lessons, but that those lessons don't lessen or change the love he has for us.

From Grandpa I learned the value of family. Every minute spent with him was him truly engaging in you and the things he knew were relevant and important to you. He had genuine interest and care in us and thats tough considering the multitude of children and grandchildren he had. When you think about a man that so many years ago met a woman with 4 kids, adopted those kids as his own, and never once thought of them as anything but his kids you begin to understand how Grandpa felt about family. This was my role model growing up, how could you ask for any better.

Grandpa taught me the value of honest work and what true work ethic is all about. You could spend all day filling a 5 gallon bucket with walnuts and get paid $.50 or $1, but this taught me how he valued work and the money you earn. He worked his entire life at the same company and taught me that names may change but just dedicate yourself to being the best at what you do and everything will be fine. What ever you do in life be the best at it.

My Grandfather was many things to me, he was a father figure for most of my young life, a role model growing in to adulthood, and a listener I could talk to when life happened and you needed someone to talk to without judgement. I am 35 years old currently and have never met a man yet that exhibited all of the character traits he did. Some people are great with family, some are great husbands, some are great parents, others are great workers with strong ethics, some are great friends, Grandpa had all of these and lived them on a daily basis.

Over the last couple days many people have said to me "I am sorry for your loss" the loss to me is the people that didn't know him and know the great man he truly was. Grandpa Jack was a truly exceptional human being and one person I count myself extremely lucky to have in my life. He taught me so much about life and the proper way to live it.

I miss him so much and only hope that as I continue to grow I can grow in to the kind of man, husband, father, and grandfather he was.

Love you Grandpa

Bob Roelf

May 7, 2015

In our company everyone liked Jack and appreciated his skills and warm personality. Jack was truly one of the good guys - always!

May 7, 2015

Jack and Genny were our next door neighbors when we bought a cabin at Lake Delhi. They had the most wonderful parties and were great friends and neighbors. Jack had one of the fastest boats on the lake and we enjoyed boating with them. We remember many great times with Jack and Genny.

Len and Jan Schaeffer

May 7, 2015

Jack was a dear friend during our "work days" together at MRC and Westinghouse, and beyond.

I first met Jack when I was a student engineer at the University of Iowa circa 1950's.

Among his many other talents, we enjoyed riding in his motor boat on the Iowa River with Jack at the helm.

Later, Jack was my Purchasing Manager at MRC, and whatever we needed for engineering parts, you can be sure Jack would find them!

The MRC picnics were special because of Jack's organizational skills in planning them; even having live lobsters flown in for one of them!

I have fond memories giving a tribute speech at Jack's retirement party.

John (and Lois)McMillin
Williamsburg, Iowa

Lori King

May 7, 2015

Uncle Jack was always the fun uncle when I was a child. I remember water skiing, his boat, and he was always so very kind. His family was blessed to have him for a father, grandfather, and husband.

Showing 1 - 19 of 19 results