Loras Anthony “Tony” Callahan, 84, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, conducted by Reverend David O’Connor. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the church’s website at
https://youtu.be/MljDTMtvWu4
Inurnment with military honors provided by the Marion American Legion Post #298 will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. All guests are respectfully requested to wear a face mask and practice social distancing.
Tony was born on December 4, 1936, in Epworth, Iowa, the son of Edward and Amanda (Lenhoff) Callahan. He was a 1955 graduate of Epworth High School. Tony went on to serve honorably in the United States Navy, from 1955 to 1959. On September 24, 1960, he was united in marriage to Joyce Ann Strief. Tony worked as a Test Technician for Rockwell Collins, retiring in 1991, after 32 years. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Marion American Legion Post #298. He was a big Irishman, serving on the Sa Pa Da Pa So Committee organizing and participating in many St. Patrick’s Day parades in Cedar Rapids. Tony loved calligraphy, fishing and was a good cook. He helped with the BBQing at the St. Joseph’s Fun Days. Tony will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Tony is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Joyce Callahan of Marion; four children, Ricky Callahan, Julie Ann Callahan, and Cheryl Steinke (fiancé, Brad Perkins) all of Cedar Rapids, and Connor (Kim) Callahan of Centennial, Colorado; four grandchildren, Kadilynn, Ciann, Bailey, and Rylee; two sisters, Sheila (James) Dougherty of Epworth, Iowa, and Constance (Gary) Henkel of Dubuque, Iowa; brother-in-law, Bart French of Wapello, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Amanda Callahan; brother, Michael Callahan; another brother at infancy, Joseph Callahan; one sister, Patsy Ann French; and one grandson, Josh Rammelsburg.
Memorials in Tony’s memory may be directed to the American Diabetes Association at 6900 College Blvd, Suite 250 in Overland Park, Kansas, 66211.