Jacob W. Callahan

Jacob W. Callahan, 96, lifelong Rockford resident, died at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2011 in Wesley Willows Health Center.
Born October 13, 1915, son of Raymond and Elizabeth (Millar) Callahan.
Graduated from Rockford High School in 1933.
Married Mable Anna Krause in St. Paul Lutheran Church on October 20, 1945.
Veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
He was a tool and die maker for George D. Roper Company and retired from Barber Colman Company after many years. Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where he ushered and was a money counter. Jake was a member of the YMCA Wiseman and always enjoyed helping families select just the right Christmas tree.
He loved to golf and fish and especially enjoyed going on family trips each year to Watoma, WI. He was also an avid Chicago Cubs, Bulls and Bears fan.
Jakes grandchildren helped him pick the apples from his many apple trees and numbers of people were the lucky recepients of his donated apples. He also had a beautiful strawberry patch which he shared with others.

Survivors include his wife, Mable; son, Craig (Linda) Callahan; daughters, Marcia (Greg) Matarelli and Sue (James) Crabb; grandchildren, Jacob (Brynn), Jamie (James), Joseph, Adam (Denniza) and Katie (Joey 11 greatgrandchildren; sistersinlaw, Irene Hamen, Leona Krause, Pauline Krause and Peg Callahan; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by his parents, daughter, Cathy, 5 brothers, 2 sisters and greatgranddaughter Chloe.
The Callahan family would like to thank the staffs of Northern Illinois Hospice amp; Grief Center and Wesley Willows Health Center for their kind and tender care of Jake.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2011 in St. Paul Lutheran Church, Central Site, 600 N. Horsman with Rev. Larry Yaw officiating.
Burial in Willwood Burial Park.
Visitation from 10 a.m. until time of the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran School.
Arrangements were completed by Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL