Paul Joseph Gahan 1916 - 2005

CRILLY, GAHAN, KELLEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/22/2019 at 19:56:42

Sioux City Journal
20 November 2005

DANBURY, Iowa -- Paul Gahan, 89, of Danbury died Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Danbury, with the Revs. Terry Roder and Robert Schimmer officiating. Burial will be in Danbury Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted by American Legion Carlson-Frum Post 336 of Danbury. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with a vigil wake service at 7 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary and chalice presentation, at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Armstrong Funeral Home of Danbury and Mapleton, Iowa.

Paul Joseph Gahan was born April 22, 1916, in Danbury, the son of Joseph D. and Anna (Crilly) Gahan. He lived his early years in Britt, Iowa, until adolescence, when he returned to Danbury. He graduated from St. Patrick's Academy at Danbury in 1934. He began working in Crilly's General Store while in the seventh grade and continued working there until moving to California in 1936.

While in California, he worked with Bank of America until 1942, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve his country. He was later transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps as the Marines prepared to leave for the Pacific Theatre. He received an honorable discharge in October 1945, having earned the Bronze Star medal, Navy-Marine Corps medal, American Theatre Campaign medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign medal and Victory World War II medal.

He returned to Danbury in 1946 and began working with Farmers Savings Bank. He was president, CEO and sat on the board of directors at the time of his retirement in 1984. He belonged to the Iowa Bankers Association, Iowa Independent Bank Association and American Banker Association.

On Aug. 28, 1948, he was united in marriage to Bernice E. Kellen in Sioux City. She passed away June 22, 1997.

Paul was a member of the Danbury Fire Department, American Legion Carlson-Frum Post 336 of Danbury and Danbury Community Club. He was a member of St. Mary's Parish in Danbury and Holy Rosary Council/Knights of Columbus. He served as state treasurer for the Knights of Columbus for 22 years. He spent many summers at Lake Okoboji, where he enjoyed sailing and boating. Since his retirement 21 years ago, he spent the winter months in Mesa, Ariz. Paul was an avid Cubs fan and didn't miss a spring training game.

Those left to cherish his memory are three daughters, Lynn (Rick) Hamers and Ellen (John) Boyle, all of Danbury, and Lois Gahan-Gootz of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandsons, Kevin Hamers of North Liberty, Iowa, David Hamers of Waukesha, Wis., Steve Hamers and Matt and Alex Boyle, all of Danbury; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; a brother, John Gahan; a sister, Mary Schimmer; and a son-in-law, Bill Gootz.