Callahan

John P. Callahan, 82, of New Castle passed away Monday at his home.

Born March 25, 1927, in New Castle, he was the son of the late Patrick J. and Catherine A. Geibel Callahan.

He is survived by his wife, the former Beatrice Anne Craig, who he married June 29, 1948.

A graduate of Union High School, Mr. Callahan served in the Naval Air Force during World War II.

After leaving the service, he worked at Bell Telephone Co., where he retired in 1982 after 36 years.

Mr. Callahan was a founding member of New Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Harlansburg Road, where he was a member of the building committee. Additionally, he was a member of the Lodge of the Craft 433 and the New Castle Consistory and actively served on the Rainbow Board of New Castle Assembly No. 1 in support of his daughters.

Mr. Callahan enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially at the family camp near Warren, Pa. He also enjoyed winters at his "little hide away" in Bonita Springs, Fla.

In addition to his wife, survivors include four daughters and two sons-in-law, Kathryn (John) Schweda of Illinois, Karen Johnson of Kittanning, Jacqueline (Jerry) Kutz of Edinboro, Pa., and Joyce Jerasa of New Castle; his grandchildren, Michael (Jill) Ventrone, Melissa Ventrone, Allison (Chris) Gaiser, Ryan Johnson, Jessica Koon, E.J. Koon, Steven (Jenna) Jerasa, Mark Jerasa, John Jerasa and David Jerasa; two great-granddaughters, Jena Ventrone and Isabella Gaiser; one brother, Leo F. Callahan; and three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Rose Marie Carlisle of Toronto, Ohio, Mary Catherine "Mickie" (Harold "Lefty") McConnell of Volant and Margaret R. "Peggy" (Gene) Scala of Beaver Falls; a sister-in-law, Mary Alice Callahan of Sharon; two brothers-in-law and their wives, William (Edna May) Craig of Elyria, Ohio, and Robert Gerald (Linda) Craig of New Castle; a sister-in-law, Cerelena Werhnyak of New Castle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James Edward and Patrick John Callahan; and one grandson, Matthew James Ventrone.

<B>CALLAHAN</B> — Visitation for John P. Callahan, who died Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at <B>R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory</B>, 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday. at the funeral home with the Rev. George Yates officiating.Any donations may be made in memory of John P. Callahan to New Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 1911 Harlansburg Road, New Castle, PA 16101 or to the American Cancer Society Lawrence/Mercer Unit, 3208B Wilmington Road, P.O. Box 5037, New Castle, PA 16105.Online condolences may be offered by visiting www. cuninghamfh.com.