Dessie J. "Geraldine" Callahan

Dessie J. “Geraldine” Callahan of Steelville, Missouri was born on October 6, 1929, in Viburnum, Missouri to the union of John Dallas and Ida Alice (Gilliam) Turnbough. She left from this life surrounded by her family on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Cuba Manor at the age of 91 years.

Geraldine was united in marriage to Willis Callahan on October 20, 1946, in Viburnum, Missouri and they shared seventy-four years of marriage together. To this union three children were born Darrell, Junior and Brenda.

Geraldine was the heart of the home, and you could always find a welcome place at her table spread with ole time country cooking! Folks loved her fried chicken or chicken and dumplings and her homemade pies or cobbler for dessert. Family from out of state would come in and you would find Geraldine busy in the kitchen making sure she was prepared with all the fixings for a family picnic. Most of all she loved her grandchildren and was always there for them…that apron wrapped around her dried many tears and scrubbed dirty cheeks all the while filling the hearts with a lifetime of memories to cherish. Geraldine enjoyed spending time outdoors. The baking and canning came about because of her and Willis putting in a big garden year after year working side by side to fill the shelves. Geraldine also loved to look for pretty or unusual rocks to add to her collecting. She made her home a haven, a warm place and welcome to all!

One of her greatest joys in life was knowing Jesus Christ and working alongside her husband sharing in the ministry of the little country church. When you talk about “Coffee Community Church” you will usually hear their names mentioned as some of the most faithful pastors in the church history.

Geraldine is preceded in death by her parents; one son Darrell (Barbara) Callahan; one granddaughter Sherry Ann Callahan; eleven brothers and sisters Albert Turnbough, Leonard (Dorothy) Turnbough, Murphy (Hallie) Turnbough, Zula (Elmer) Turnbough, Lula (Marcus) Midyett, Blanche (Ottis) Thompson, Marie (George) Smith, Gladyne Turnbough, Yeary Turnbough, Goldie (Vernon) Palmer and Alfred (Margaret) Beers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Tom Callahan, Norman (Louella) Callahan, Wilma Callahan, Rainey Callahan, Lavondel “Vondel” (Zelma) Callahan.

Those who are left to treasure her memory and to continue her legacy are her loving husband
of seventy-four years Rev. Willis Callahan; two children Junior (Peggy) Callahan of Steelville, Brenda (Keith) Neff of Cuba; seven grandchildren Angela Callahan of Cuba, Kimberly (Cleve) Holland of Cuba, Rodney Neff of Cuba, Greg (Kristen) Neff of Cuba, Leroy (Rebecca) Callahan of Sullivan, Leon (Pam) Callahan of Steelville and Lucas (Jamie) Callahan of Steelville; one sister-in-law Imogene Callahan of Rolla; twelve great-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, from 5-8 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home 904 W. Washington St. Cuba, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Mizell Funeral Home with Pastor Jerry Beers, officiating.

Honored to be serving as pallbearers will be Leroy, Leon and Lucas Callahan, Rodney and Greg Neff, Sam Holland.

Interment will follow at Martin-Trask Cemetery, Cherryville, Missouri.

The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving the Callahan family.