James R. Callahan

QUINCY -- James R. Callahan, 90, of the Illinois Veterans Home entered his heavenly home with the Blessed Father, his son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015.

James was born Aug. 16, 1925, in Quincy, the son of Raymond Harold and L. Violet Wisehart Callahan. He married Delma Dedert on Feb. 21, 1946, at Salem Church in Quincy. She preceded him in death on March 27, 1978. He married Sandra Holt Shackelford on June 30, 1980, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. She survives.

James was a 1942 graduate of Quincy High School. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. James farmed in Adams County all of his life on his family's centennial farm, which is now 130 years old.

James was a member of Camp Callahan Board of Directors for 26 years, and he had been chairman for 11 years. In 2005 he received the Governor's Cup in the Governor's Hometown Awards. In 2000 James received the Transitions of Western Illinois Humanitarian Award, and in 2010 he received the Cornerstone Individual Humanitarian Award.

James was a member of the USDA Adams County Service Center Board for nine years, and he was chairman of the board for six years. He also had been trustee of Columbus Township for 40 years. He was president of the Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association for 36 years. James coached both the Coatsburg Rural League baseball team and the Coatsburg softball team for the Quincy Park District for four years. James served two terms as an elder at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and he was past president of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Coatsburg.

James was an avid golfer, and he shot a hole-in-one at Arrowhead Golf Course in Camp Point. He also loved fishing and quail hunting.

In addition to his wife, Sandra, survivors include four children, Betty (Merlin) Redenius of Carthage, Mary Jo (Kenneth) Carson of Macomb, Randall (Anita) Callahan of Quincy, and Janice (Steve Galvan) Callahan of Boise, Idaho; two stepchildren, Susan (Donald) Schwartz and Todd (Kris Kutcher) Shackelford, both of Quincy; four grandchildren, Tonya (Jon) Little, Jennifer (Phillip) Fryrear, Jeff (Megan) Callahan, and Ashley (Greg Platt) Redenius; seven step-grandchildren, Dr. Andrew (Bailey) Schwartz, Adam (Laurel Mazar) Schwartz, Amanda Schwartz, Angela (Travis) Sloan, Aaron Schwartz, Amber (Charles) Wheeler, and Amy (Brandon) Van Bastian; seven great-grandchildren, Tristan, Cheyanne and Ashtan Fryrear, Jacob James and Luke Little, Lilly Platt and Owen Callahan; eight step great-grandchildren, Blayne Schwartz, Charles Wheeler V, Emma and Elijah Sloan, Grace and Kaylin Van Bastian, Rowland Schwartz, and Hunter; a sister, Connie Hollensteiner of Quincy; and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to his first wife, James was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Albert Hollensteiner.

SERVICES: 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Martin Eden conducting. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Quincy.

VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home and 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at the church.

MEMORIALS: Camp Callahan or Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.hansenspear.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.