Joseph M. Callahan

Joseph M. Callahan, 89, of East End section of Wilkes-Barre, passed away September 26, 2017 at Celtic Hospice.

He was born in Wilkes-Barre on August 16, 1928, the son of the late Martin and Helen McDermott Callahan.  Joe was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School and attended Wilkes College.  After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served in the Korean Conflict.  He was employed by Woodlawn Dairy and Dolly Madison Ice Cream as a delivery driver and then worked his way into sales.  Joe subsequently was employed by Eskimo Pie Corporation as a sales executive.  In 1977, he founded J.M. Callahan & Sons, an ice cream and dairy distribution company, with sons Marty and Tom, and was actively involved in the business until his retirement.

Joe was a member of Wyoming Valley Country Club.  In his retirement, he was an avid golfer, along with his wife Dorothy, and they enjoyed playing lots of golf and socializing with other members.  In winter Joe and his friends at the club had their daily card games.  He played golf regularly until age 87.  Joe was delighted to serve several stints as Ryder Cup team captain at WVCC, and he continued playing cards with his friends at the club until his recent illness.

He was a gregarious fellow, always jovial and upbeat.  Joe was a loving husband, father and friend and will very much be missed by those who loved him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Marilyn Cavanaugh, and his sisters, Jeanne Tully and Helen "Honey" Bartley.

Surviving are his wife of twenty years, Dorothy Grace Schinse Callahan; sons, Joseph M. Jr. and his wife Joan of Wapwallopen and Thomas and his wife Beth of Shavertown; daughter, Jane Frederick and her husband Al of Ellicott City, Maryland; grandchildren, Joseph M. III and Rachel Callahan; sister, Anna "Nancy" Hannah of Swedesboro, New Jersey; extended family, Cheri and Jim O'Brien of Dallas, Joseph and Debbie Schinse of Boise, Idaho, Chris and Jenelle O'Brien of Dallas; Katie and Ryan Pechulis of Glenside; Jessie and Jared Schinse, Kyla and Braden O'Brien and Zoey Pechulis; brother-in-law, John Tully, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The entire family sends a special thank you to the staff at Celtic Hospice for their compassionate care and comfort provided to Joe in his final days.

Celebration of Joe’s Life will begin Thursday with visitation from 5 to 8 PM at McLaughlin’s, 142 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre and continue there on Friday with gathering at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in the Church of Saint Stanislaus Kostka. Interment will be in Saint Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics Luzerne County, P.O. Box 1832, Shavertown, PA 18708, or a charity of your choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared with Joe's family at www.celebratehislife.com