This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Author: wilsonje19
Surnames:
Classification: obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.callaghan/432/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
On April 4, 2009, Michael William Callaghan passed away in Emmetsburg at the ago of 91
surrounded by his family.
Mike was born May 23, 1917 in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the fifth son of John Joseph Callaghan and
Anna Celeste Barnett. Mike graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1934 and remained in
the Emmetsburg area his entire life. On February 20, 1944, Mike was married to Shirley
Alice Henderson of Ruthven. The couple enjoyed a happy life raising their two daughters.
Shirley passed away on April 8, 1990.
Mike's first jobs were shining shoes outside the Kermore Hotel and selling homemade
horseradish in order to buy his suit for graduation. Mike always prided himself on a
well-shined pair of shoes. As a very young man Mike's first "real" job was
in the Iowa Theater and later in the shoe department of J. C. Penney's. Mike worked at
the U.S. Post Office in Emmetsburg where he became Assistant Post Master. He loved his
thirty four years of service at the Post Office and enjoyed sharing his fond memories of
his career with everyone. His dedication and service to the public was well known and he
enjoyed meeting people around town. He was proud of his Irish heritage and spent time
traveling, even making a trip to Ireland and Alaska in his later years. Mike traveled
frequently to visit family in Florida, Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio and Minnesota.
Mike was a life-long member of Holy Family Church and was involved with numerous church
activities, especially in his younger years. !
He especially enjoyed dancing, playing golf and cards, fishing, and spending time with
his family and friends. He was always there to spread a little Irish wit and wisdom to
everyone whether you wanted it or not.
Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Loretta Greiner and her husband Keith of
Pleasant Hill, IA and Mary Minear and her husband, Mike of Finksburg, MD. He has three
grandchildren. Aaron Greiner and his wife Sarah of Des Moines, IA; Brendan Greiner of
Ames, IA; and Mollie Minear of Durham, NC. Also surviving are Mike's brother-in-law
and sisters-in-law, Harley and Delores Bigger of Spencer, IA and Shirley Henderson of
Graettinger, IA. Preceding Mike in death were his wife, Shirley; brothers, Joe, Emmet,
Jim, Frank and Julian; and sisters Anna Gebhart and Alice Potts. Mike was the last member
of the proud Irish Callaghan family who came to Highland Township near Ruthven in 1879.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Holy Family Catholic Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa
Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 10:30 A.M.
INTERMENT
St. John's Catholic Cemetery
Emmetsburg, Iowa
Important Note:
The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply
to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.