Rev. Willis D. Callahan

Rev. Willis D. Callahan of Steelville, Missouri was born on June 14, 1930, in Cherryville, Missouri to the union of George S. and Blanche R. (Martin) Callahan. He left from this life surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Steelville Living Center at the age of 92 years.

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

Willis was in the Timber Industry all his life and was a good provider for his family. These were life skills passed on to his sons. He taught them how to fell trees with a chain saw for logs and cord wood and how to use a chopping axe to split the firewood! He and Geraldine enjoyed their growing family and together they planted a big garden every year to harvest in preparation of the coming winter and their daily meals were the best of memories made.

Willis was a man that loved the Lord and he with his devoted wife Geraldine worked in ministry pastoring and caring for people in little country churches. He left a legacy for his family and shared the gospel preaching and serving as pastor at Bethel Church of God in Steelville, and Springtown Church of God and for many years Coffee Community 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.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents George S. and Blanche R. (Martin) Callahan; wife Geraldine (Turnbough) Callahan; one son Darrell (Barbara) Callahan; one granddaughter Sherry Ann Callahan; five brothers and sisters Tom (Imogene) Callahan, Norman (Louella) Callahan, Wilma Callahan, Rainey Callahan, Lavondel “Vondel” (Zelma) Callahan. eleven brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law 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.

Those who are left to treasure his memory and to continue his legacy are his loving 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; twelve great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, from 5-8 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home 904 W. Washington St. Cuba, Missouri.

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 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, Angie Callahan and Kim Holland.

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

If desired, memorials would be appreciated to the American Heart Association.

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