Donald James Callahan, 86, of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, November 17, 2022 at his home.
He was born January 31, 1936 in Salem, Indiana, the youngest of six children of Estil and Grace Dalton Callahan. He moved to Connersville when he was six years old and graduated from Connersville High School in 1955.
On April 11, 1958, he married Ann Kramer Callahan in Eastside Methodist Church. Mrs. Callahan survives.
A proud veteran, Don served in the United States Army from 1958 until 1960 as a dental technician.
From 1964 until 1971, he worked for W. G. Britton Dental Lab, which was founded in 1951 by W. G. Britton. In 1971, Don moved the lab to his residence, renaming the business Don’s Dental Lab. In 1978, he once again moved the lab to 2201 North Grand Avenue with help from family and friends remodeling the building.
In 1998, upon his retirement, Don sold his business to his sons Jim and Jeff. Together, they proudly run the business as Don’s Dental Lab in memory of their father. Don continued to come in and help until 2018.
Don earned several awards over the course of his career, including CDT for 25 years of service, the Half Century Business Award from the State of Indiana, and the Lifetime Dental Achievement. Don conservatively made over 50,000 dentures and partials in his career.
A man of deep faith, Don was a member of First Baptist Church of Connersville and served his church throughout his life. He also did the landscaping for First Baptist Church and Grand Avenue United Methodist Church for many years until his health failed.
Don loved to keep a beautiful yard and enjoyed working in his flower garden, both which were magazine worthy. Artistically inclined, he loved to paint pictures. In his leisure, he also enjoyed boating, fishing, and woodworking. Don was most certainly a busy and hardworking man.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Ann Callahan, whom he endearingly called “Annie”; two sons, James (Lisa) Callahan and Jeffery (Mary) Callahan, both of Connersville; eight grandchildren, Seth (Kelsey) Callahan, all of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Desi Callahan, Amy Halcomb, Sammie Callahan, Charles Baker, Ryan (Shalina) Belt, Shaina Newsome, and Erin (Zac) Foreman, all of Connersville; and seventeen great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his oldest son, John Callahan, who passed away May 10, 2018; and his five brothers and sisters.
Friends may visit from 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Connersville. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Mal Gibson officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by the Fayette County Veterans Council will be held in Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Don to the First Baptist Church of Connersville or Fayette County Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be made anytime at millermosterrobbins.com.