Joseph “Joe” Michael Callaghan, a longtime resident of Warsaw, passed from this Earth to his heavenly home on Feb. 11, 2024, at the age of 82.
He was born June 1, 1941, in Milford, Mich., to Ralph and Ruth Goss Callaghan. He was the fifth of nine children. Upon graduating high school, he attended Central Michigan University where he graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. On Feb. 3, 1968, he married Janet “Jan” Johnson Callaghan. They were blessed with 56 years of marriage. Joe liked to joke that upon marrying Jan, he got a wife, two sons (Terry Williams, Larry Williams), a dog and a Guinea pig. Joe and Jan welcomed a third son (Rory Callaghan) in 1971.
Joe and his wife lived in several locations during their life together – Battle Creek, Mich.; Worthington, Minn.; Bourbon, Ind.; and Warsaw, Ind. During these years, not only was he a loving husband, father and grandfather, but he worked in sales in a variety of industries – mainly the manufactured housing industry. He worked at several notable companies before purchasing Fahl Homes in 1989 and then opened Fahl Homes 2 several years later. In 2005, he expanded his presence in Warsaw and opened Callaghan Homes. After 30 years, Joe retired in 2019.
During his time working in sales and owning his own companies, Joe won numerous trips from manufacturers, suppliers, etc. Almost every year, he and Jan were blessed with the opportunity to travel the world. Among his favorite trips include an African safari, the Galapagos Islands, Australia, remote fishing trips in northern Canada and several ski trips. He and Jan also always looked forward to their bi-annual trips to Mexico with their “Mazatlán Crew.” Joe loved spending time with his family and friends and looked forward to his weekly domino games with friends.
He is survived by his wife, Jan Callaghan, Warsaw; two children, Terry (Janet) Williams, Fenton, Mich.; and Rory (Stacey) Callaghan, Seattle, Wash.; five grandchildren: Jeremiah (Shannon) Williams, Elkhart; Christa (Cameron) Plew, Warsaw; Brandon (Brooke) Williams, Warsaw; Kennedy Callaghan, Seattle, Wash.; Lauren Hunter, Carmel; and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are five sisters: Mary Montgomery, Davis, Calif.; Sally Beadle, Milford, Mich.; Kay Davis, Naples, Fla.; Ronnie Edwards, Milford, Mich.; and Barbara Callaghan, Milford, Mich.; and one brother Jim Callaghan, Clayton, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Ruth Callaghan; parents-in-law, Tracy and Doris Johnson; sister, Tip Ruggles; brother, Butch Callaghan; and son, Larry Williams.
Joe’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 at 2290 Provident Court, Warsaw. Visitation will be held prior from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Burial in the cemetery will follow at Oakwood Cemetery with military honors.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Kosciusko County Cancer Fund c/o K-21 Health Foundation, 1101 Park Avenue, Winona Lake, IN 46590; or Animal Welfare League, 1048 S. 325 E. Pierceton, IN 46562
To sign the guestbook or send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.