Jerome Lawrence Callan

Jerome Lawrence “Jerry” Callan, 81, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester.  He was born on June 7, 1936, in Independence, the son of Patrick and Isabel (Gallery) Callan.  Jerry was raised and educated in the area.  He attended Catholic school in Prairieburg and graduated from Manchester High School in 1955.  Jerry served proudly in the U.S. Army 525th Military Intelligence from 1956 to 1958.

On July 6, 1960, Jerry was united in marriage to Kathleen Zieser at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ryan.  Eight children were blessed to this union.  Together they made their home in Manchester.  Jerry was employed as parts manager for Wallace, Inc. for 21 years and worked at Tredegar Plastic Factory for 19 years.

Jerry was a long time active member and a great volunteer of St. Mary Catholic Church.  He raised his family in the Catholic faith and was proud of his Irish heritage.

Jerry enjoyed watching his grandkids ballgames, playing cards with friends, the company of friends at Western Swing Dances, gardening and making salsa.  He was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan and always had a new “Jerryism”, a short saying with a humorous message.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Kathleen Callan of Manchester; his eight children, David (Sherri) Callan of Spring Valley, Illinois, Joseph (Diane) Callan of Ottawa, Illinois, Karen (Mark) Fischer of Cedar Rapids, Thomas (Elizabeth) Callan and Mary (Shawn) Waterhouse all of Manchester, Patricia (Timothy) Glass of Delaware, Randall (Carrie) Callan of Central City, and Robert Callan of Manchester; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Callan; and a sister, Mary Dorothy Manternach.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends a donation to St. Mary’s School, Manchester, Iowa.

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