Tom Callahan

CALLAHAN, KING, BUCCELLO, VANDALL, BURKE, JOHNSON

Posted By: Diane Shough (email)
Date: 3/28/2021 at 10:47:30

“Final Rites Sunday for Tom Callahan Widely Known Teacher, Co. Official – Final rites were held at the First Methodist church Sunday for Tom Callahan, one of Clarke county’s widely known citizens. Callahan died Thursday at the Veteran’s hospital in Des Moines. He was 60 years old. The Rev. Lloyd Latta officiated for the services with the Webster funeral home in charge. The American Legion post of Osceola conducted a grave side service in the Maple Hill cemetery. Callahan taught school in Clarke county for about 22 years, part of the time in Osceola and the rest in rural schools. He also taught in Chariton for three years. He also served as county treasurer for six years, was city clerk for some three years, was a 10-year fireman, was active in the city band all of his adult life and for some years was its director. Tom was the son of Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Callahan. He was born at Jamison and moved to Osceola with his parents while a small boy. After graduating from Osceola high school, he attended Parsons College and later took extensive work from the State Teacher’s College at Cedar Falls. In 1919 he married Nina King and to this union, one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was born. Callahan was a veteran of World War I, and during service was a member of the 339th Field Artillery Band. He had been a member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He has always been active in the First Methodist church, of which he was a member. He served as a member of the official board for many years. After several years of failing health, tom entered the Veterans’ hospital on January 13 this year and was a patient there until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Pansy Vandall and Dorothy, who died in infancy. Surviving are his wife; his daughter, Mrs. Henry Buccello of San Francisco; one grandson Thomas Buccello; a sister Mrs. Audrey Burke of Rock Island, Ill.; two brothers Russell and Dean of Osceola; one aunt Mrs. W.D. Johnson of Kansas City, Mo., and other relatives and friends.” (The Osceola Tribune, Osceola, Iowa, 22 June 1948, pg. 1.)