Obituary of John Wayne Callahan

John Wayne Callahan of Bedford, Indiana, passed away on April 21, 2025, from renal failure and other complications. John spent his last days in Hospice House surrounded by his family and friends. John valiantly battled renal failure for 3 years by taking dialysis 3 times a week. Born October 14, 1941, in Bedford, Indiana, John was the son of Donald and Jane (Spinks) Callahan. John married the love of his life, Judy Fox on September 1, 1959. John loved Judy’s home cooked meals, her baking, and taking trips with her. Both John and Judy enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and giving them Christmas presents, easter egg hunts and birthday gifts. John was a devoted husband to Judy as he had dinner with her nearly every single night during her 3 ½ year battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia. Judy passed away on February 26, 2025. After Judy’s passing, John’s health declined rapidly. John was a foreman in diecast at General Motors and worked there 25 years before retiring in 1999. John absolutely loved retirement. John attended Bedford First Church of God and had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. Growing up, John excelled playing baseball and football, and he loved hunting and fishing with his grandfather, John B. Spinks. As a young man, John became an Eagle Scout, won the Boys’ Club Boy of the Year 1954, and the Wayne Fish Award. John was a doting and loving Husband, a present, engaged, and giving Father and an adoring “papaw”. John was a giver. He gave his time, money and love to others… his family, his friends, and even strangers. John was bursting with pride when talking about his two sons or his grandchildren. John’s greatest joy came from watching his sons and grandchildren participate in sports and other activities. John loved sports, especially baseball. He greatly enjoyed BNL sports, the Indy 500, and mushroom hunting. John was also known as the “Christmas Tree Man”. He sold Christmas trees at his Bedford tree lot from December 1957 until approximately 2005. John provided Christmas trees to thousands and thousands of families over the years. For years, John said, “If the good Lord comes and gets me tonight, I’ve had a great life.” On April 21st, the good Lord came to get him. Please know…he had a great life. John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Judy (Fox) Callahan, and (1) brother, Odie Callahan. Survivors included (2) sons, Scott Callahan and wife, Stacey, of Bedford, Indiana and Jeff Callahan and wife, Paige, of Bedford, Indiana; (5) grandchildren; Jordan Callahan and wife, Kristen of Westminster, Colorado, Calvin Callahan and wife, Rebekah of Bedford, Indiana, Brandt Callahan and wife, Bailee of Nashville, Tennessee, Whitt Callahan, and Merritt Callahan, and (1) great granddaughter, Hazel Callahan: (2) siblings, Dean Callahan and Donna Sue Summers. Visitation and funeral services will be conducted at Day and Carter Mortuary on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 5:00 p.m. with Travis Inman officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of John to Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services.