John P. Callahan, 91, of Cedar Rapids, passed away in Hiawatha on March 20, 2009, after a lengthy illness. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Military honors presented by the American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation 4 - 8 p.m. Monday, March 23, 2009, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids with a rosary at 5 p.m. and vigil service at 7 p.m. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery. John Patrick Callahan was born February 27, 1918, in Wallace, Idaho, to Charles J. and May G. (Monahan) Callahan. He was raised in Dubuque and attended Nativity Elementary, Washington Junior High, and Dubuque Senior High Schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1936 and served until 1945, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer (Aviation Ordnanceman) and twice earning the Good Conduct Medal. He proudly served on the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was stationed on Midway Island during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. He married Mary Margaret Magirl on March 19, 1945, at Sacred Heart Church in Oelwein, Iowa. The couple recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. He was an employee of Penick & Ford (now Penford) in Cedar Rapids for 28 years. He was later employed by the Cedar Rapids Community School District before retiring in 1988. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his three brothers, Charles J., Jr., James A. and Donald E. Callahan. He is survived by his wife, Mary; and his four sons, Michael F. (Rosemary), Nebraska City, Nebraska, James J., Ca��on City, Colorado, John G. (Ruth), Cedar Rapids, and Kevin C. (Jacqueline) Callahan, West Branch, Iowa. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by 5 nephews, all sons of his late brother Donald, and their descendants. John was a parishioner of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. He was an ardent fan of Notre Dame football, and he spent many fall afternoons watching, listening to, reading about, talking about, celebrating with or agonizing with the team that he loved. Quick to smile and slow to anger, he made his way through life quietly, suffering misfortunes without complaint. He was a kind, modest and gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor who enjoyed people and appreciated the simple pleasures of life. He was dearly loved, and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends. John's family extends its special thanks to the management and staff of the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for their kindness and compassion during his final days. A memorial fund has been established.