Henry Gilpin Callahan

Born: August 9, 1916 in Clarksburg, W. VA (Father: John Hubert Callahan and Mother: Margaret Gilpin – both deceased). He moved to Erie, PA in 1930and attended Penn State University where he studied mechanical engineering. Married Mary Margaret Shaw (Callahan) October 12, 1946 in Erie, Pennsylvania. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 and was a First Lt. He flew B-24 Liberators in Europe and North Africa. His profession was in the sales of hydraulic machinery in the plastics industry and he worked for General American, Borg Warner and Selfix and after retirement, he followed his hobbies and enjoyed part-time work at the pro shop at the Sherwood Club and for Bohling Florists. He loved to travel and spent each summer between Michigan, Cape Cod, and Colorado visiting with family and new found friends. His wife of fifty four years, Mary Margaret, preceded him in death in 2001 and he is survived by his sister, Alice MacMillen of Erie, PA and all of his nine children: Patrick Callahan, Maureen Callahan, Barbara Callahan, Linda (Doug) Moore, Bruce Callahan, Kevin (Paula) Callahan, Michael (Colleen) Callahan, Margaret (fiancée Jon Luksich) Callahan, Janet (Thomas) Josway. 13 Grandchildren: Brian Moore, Amy Josway, Sasha Talsky, Adam Callahan, Aaron Callahan, Kyle Josway, Douglas Josway, Christopher Callahan, Max Talsky, Katlyn Josway, Delaney Callahan, Patrick H. Callahan, Devin Callahan and eight great grandchildren. Visitation will be on Monday, April18, 2011 from 3:00-8:00 PM at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN and on Tuesday, from 11:30-12:00 PM at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 12:00 PM at St. Thomas More Church, Fr. Michael Yadron officiating; Interment will be at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville, IN Henry was a passionate golfer and long time member of Lake Hills Golf Course, where he enjoyed his only hole in one on hole #5. He attended the Masters Tournament in 1994. He was a devoted fan of flying and a scholar on Air and Space Flight, as well as a great fan of the early aviators, including Lindberg. Another passion was classical music and the big bands of the 1940s and 1950s. He was an avid reader and built an extensive personal library of books, tapes, and CDs. He was a member of St. Thomas More church and a faithful parishioner, always sitting near his beloved choir and dear friends of the church. He resided in Hammond, Indiana for over 55 years and spent his last year at Sheffield Manor Assisted Living in Dyer, Indiana. His extended family included Carol Rith, John Ortega and Michelle Salus, who assisted him with wonderful care in his later years. He was surrounded by all nine of his children, many grand children and great grandchildren during his passing. In lieu of flowers, contribution to the Salvation Army can be made in his memory.