Joseph R. Callahan

Joseph Richard Callahan of Kansas City, Missouri was born June 19, 1925 in Kansas City, Kansas the son of Joseph Richard Sr. and Helen (Burke) Callahan. He departed this life on Friday, February 20, 2009 at Research Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 83 years, 8 months and 1 day.
He was united in marriage to Alice Marie Siens on August 26, 1950 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Kansas City, Missouri. Joseph was a commercial artist for Western Auto Home Office in Kansas City, MO for several years before his retirement. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, a 3rd Order Dominican and member of the Legion of Mary. Joe was a talented and prolific portrait artist in the Kansas City area. His work can be found at Kansas University in Lawrence, Boy?s Town, Nebraska and many private homes. He was a writer and published poet regionally and a graduate of Kansas City University and the Kansas City Art Institute. He served as a chaplain assistant and staff sergeant in the Army. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Alice on October 11, 2007.
He is survived by a son James D. Callahan and wife, Bridget, Kansas City, MO; a daughter, Janice Lyn Callahan, Kansas City, MO; 3 grandsons, Andrew, Brandon and Courtney Callahan and wife, Jennifer; 6 great-grandchildren, Jackson, Lane, Zach, Bryce, Bailey and Taylor; a brother, Bernard Callahan, Americus, KS; a sister, Patricia Walkenhorst, Blue Springs, MO; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 23, 2009 at Christ the King Catholic Church, Kansas City, Missouri with burial at the Orient Cemetery, Harrisonville, Missouri.
Family suggest memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Diabetes Association.