John "Jack" E. Callahan

GODFREY -   John E. "Jack" Callahan, 84, died at 8:28 p.m., Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at his residence.

He was born in Grafton, Illinois on September 12, 1936, one of four children born to William Michael and Garnet Elnora (Bushey) Callahan.

Jack grew up in Grafton, and began his working career at Sears-Roebuck in downtown Alton.  He later went on to work at Olin Corp. in East Alton, until entering the grocery business, working at both Tri-City Grocery and National both in Alton.

In 1980, he relocated to Arizona, where he was employed as a cook for the Maricopa Sheriff's Department in Phoenix, where he remained until retiring in 1998.   In 2000, he moved back to the area, establishing his home in Godfrey.

He was a longtime member of the Full Moon Masonic Lodge in Grafton, and was widely known for his storytelling abilities, and never met a stranger, talking to anyone willing to listen.

Surviving are his two daughters, Susan Lynne Callahan of Elsberry, Mo., and Mary Beth Callahan, and her fiance', Christopher Carpenter of Glen Carbon; three grandchildren, Christopher Porter of Wood River, Stephanie Radeke of Louisville, Ky., and Joshua Dawdy of Grafton; and a sister, Ellen Godfrey of Godfrey; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Michael E. Callahan and Patrick E. Callahan.

Family and Friends are invited to attend graveside services at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Scenic Hill Cemetery in Grafton.    Bob Smith will officiate.

Memorials may be given to either the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.

Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville is in charge of the arrangements.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John "Jack" E. Callahan, please visit our floral store.