Ora Vernal Callahan, 86, passed away on Tuesday Feb. 5, 2013, in Greenfield. He was a resident of Greenfield. Ora was born Feb. 14, 1926, in Rushville, to William and Bertha (Lower) Callahan.
Ora taught 5 years as a Vocational Agriculture Teacher at Mt. Comfort High School after graduation from Purdue University with an Ag Education degree. He retired in 1983 from Indiana Farm Bureau Co-op after 27 years of service as education and public relations manager. He gave countless hours serving youth and agricultural organizations and received numerous awards from 4-H and FFA organizations for service and leadership.
Survivors include his wife, of 62 years, Shirley (Hardwick) Callahan of Greenfield; five children, Lorraine (William) Ewing Jr. of McCordsville, Colleen (Jerald) Sipple of Clarks Hill, Kevin (Joan) Callahan of Arizona, Lyndon (Sara) Callahan of Fishers and Sheldon (Elizabeth) Callahan of North Webster; brother, Noel (Jo) Callahan of Indianapolis; sister-in-law, Kathleen Callahan, of Indianapolis; 20 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Estel Callahan; and sister, Dolletta Callahan.
A celebration of life will be conducted at 10 a.m., Saturday Feb. 16, 2013, at Vineyard Community Church- Mt. Comfort, 1672 North 600 West, Greenfield. A family graveside service was conducted at East Hill Cemetery in Rushville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Ora Callahan 4-H Awards Fund at the Hancock County Community Foundation, 312 E. Main St. Greenfield, IN. 46140 or donate on-line at www.giveHCgrowHC.org.,click on "donate now".
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Jessen Funeral Home, Whiteland Chapel. Information: 317-535-6880; www.jessenfuneralhome.com.
