Carlton William Callison (2007)

CALLISON, GODFREY, BEARY, FRANK

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 7/26/2007 at 17:16:02

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
July 25, 2007

CARLTON CALLISON, Burlington

Carlton William Callison, 86, of Burlington died July 3, 2007, at the Great River Medical Center Klein Long-Term Care Facility.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 7, at Lunning Chapel, Burlington, with the Rev. Charles Downing officiating. Burial was at Aspen Grove Cemetery with the Burlington Area Honor Guard conducting full military rites.

Carlton Callison was born Jan. 25, 1921, in Newtown, Mo., to Carl George and Barbara (Godfrey) Callison. He began his education in a one-room rural school. In 1942, he entered the United States Army, serving with the 96th Infantry Division until 1946, when he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant First Class. His marriage to Norma Jean Beary took place July 20, 1946, in Hiawatha, Kan. Carlton later received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. He taught in rural schools and coached several sports in the state of Missouri. He also attended graduate school at Drake University and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Iowa Wesleyan University. In 1952, he moved to Winterset to become an elementary and junior high school principal. He remained there until taking a position as dean of Keokuk Community College in 1966. In 1967, he took over as president of Southeast Iowa Community College. Under his leadership, the college built new facilities and significantly expanded both its course offerings and its student body. Carlton retired in 1986. He served on the Iowa State Board of Education for nine years, chaired the Community College Council for four years, and served on the Prison Industries Advisory Board for two years.

He was preceded in death by his wife and a foster brother.

He is survived by three sons, Gary C. Callison of Cedar Rapids and Bruce Beary Callison and Bradley William Callison, both of Burlington; one daughter, Barbara Jean Frank of Dover, N.H.; and nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial has been established for the Southeastern Community College Scholarship Fund.