Jimmie Ray Callahan

Jimmie (Jim) Ray Callahan, age 88, of Loogootee, IN, transitioned to everlasting life on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at Stonecroft Health Campus in Bloomington, IN. He was surrounded by his wife and children as he went to be with his Lord and Savior.

He was born at home in Odon, IN on September 3, 1932 to Noble Blaine and Hazel (Russell) Callahan.  Jim graduated from Odon High School in 1950. Jim married Sue (Franklin) Callahan on September 2, 1951 at the Odon Christian Church and she survives.

Jim started working at the Odon Clothing Company at the age of 15. He became the manager of the “Clothing Store” at a young age. With the backing of the Odon Clothing Company owners, Jim was instrumental in expanding the “Clothing Store” into Southern Indiana’s premiere business for workwear, children’s clothes, women’s apparel, suits, and tuxedo rentals. Jim retired from the Odon Clothing Company in 1989.

Jim also enjoyed buying, renovating, and re-selling of real estate, properties, and farms.  He found a sense of pride in beautification projects, especially landscaping, on his John Deere equipment. In addition to his own home projects, Jim often donated his time to mow the property of elderly/disabled persons in and around Odon for many years. He once said, “I do my best thinking when mowing”. Jim was a 50 year member of Moore Masonic Lodge #303 F & AM. Jim was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Evansville, Hadi Shrine Temple, and was president of the Daviess County Shrine club in 1973. Jim supported Shriner’s Hospitals and the needs of children throughout his life. Jim was a member of the Odon First Christian Church, a former Sunday School teacher, and deacon at the church. Jim also served as a volunteer fireman on the Odon Volunteer Fire Department. Jim was on the original committee of the Odon Housing Authority.

Jim’s greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved to share stories, life experiences, laughter, and the importance of God, family, and work ethic with all his family. His family remembers him as a man who always found humor in life, especially in difficult times. He would bring laughter and joy with his quick-witted one-liners.

In addition to his wife of 69 years, he is survived by three children including Merle (Mary) Callahan, Loogootee, IN; Jama (Dave) Scherer, Evansville, IN; and Terry Callahan, Loogootee, IN. Also left to share his family legacy are nine grandchildren including James Ryan (Ashley) Callahan, Bloomington, IN; Roger (Adriane) Callahan, Odon, IN; Kathryn Callahan, Fishers, IN; William (Ashlee) Callahan, Springfield, MO; Ryan (Jeanie) Scherer, Jasper, IN; Jessica Scherer Skyles, Evansville, IN; Adam Callahan, Lewes, DE; Ashley (Will) Miller, Canton, OH; and MacKenzie (Patrick) LeMoine, Fayetteville, NC. Jim also leaves eighteen great grandchildren: Lucy, Emmett, Violet, Hezekiah, Lily, Jackson, Norah, Alice, Henry, Levi, Hallie, Draden, Carter, Laynie, Adam, Lucas, Blake, and Sage.

Jim was the last surviving offspring of Noble and Hazel Callahan. He was preceded in death by five siblings including Ruth (Goble) Thompson; Juanita (Guy) Strange; Mary (Rome) Scott; Noble “Junior” (Ava) Callahan; and JoAnn (Bob) Hunter.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Meng Funeral Home, Odon, IN. Visitation is from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm EST on November 19, 2020. Funeral services for his family and friends will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday with Lyman Taylor (brother-in-law) and Ryan Scherer (Grandson) officiating.  Online condolences may be submitted at mengfuneralhome@gmail.com.  Jim will be laid to rest in Walnut Hill Cemetery, Odon, IN.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org and/or Callahan Family Fund, c/o Daviess County Community Foundation, 320 E. Main Street, Washington, IN 47501.