On August 28, 2024, Johnny B. Calihan, 97, died August 28 in Ohio.
Born in Roxana to the late Lloyd and Nora Calihan, he joined the U.S. Navy Seabee’s in World War II at the age of 17.
Service to his country was important to Mr. Calihan and he was a member of the VFW Duwel Post 7570.
Mr. Calihan devoted 29 years to educating students as a sixth-grade teacher, gym teacher, junior high basketball coach, track coach and baseball coach. He was the first coach to organize and coach a girls’ junior high basketball team and also a girls’ softball team in the Southwest Local School District. In 1972 he helped organize the fifth- and sixth-grade basketball league. In 1966-1967 school year he was awarded the “Coach of the Year” award.
He spent his entire teaching career in the Ohio Southwest Local School District. He belonged to all local, state and national education associations, served as president of the District Teachers’ Association and was dedicated to education. He received the “Teacher of the Year” award in 1965-1966 school year. He loved people, especially children and conveyed his devotion and values to his students. He helped shape the lives of many children, which will continue for years to come.
He helped organize the “Harrison Church Softball League” and served as president and treasurer for several years. He was manager of the Nazarene Church softball team winning the “Manager of the Year” award in 1964, and in other years “Homerun King” and “Batting Champion.”
He helped organize and was a charter member of the Harrison Lions Club and served in other organizations in the town of Harrison.
Johnny Calihan devoted his life to his church, the Nazarene Church. He served on the Board as well as Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, construction worker, painter, and caretaker of the church grounds and parsonage. He participated in the community church services and men’s fellowship, speaking and doing whatever he could for good community relations and goodwill.
He leaves behind a legacy of love starting with his loving wife of 77 years, Ann Calihan; beloved children: Dale (Mary “Jean”) Calihan, Theresa (Jon) Payne, and Susan (Tom) Wagner; son-in-law: Jack Dieckman; cherished grandchildren, Michael (Michelle Speeg) Calihan, Matt (Brittany) Calihan, Tom (Susan) Campbell, Lee (Ali Dietzgen) Dieckman, Renee (Brad) Boyett, Julie (Kevin) Tucker, Ashley (Eric) Baker, Lauren Wagner, Angelica (Guylando) Moreno, Justin (Caroline) Payne and Joleen (Adam) Meyer. He was affectionately known as great-grandpa to 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Nora Callahan Calihan; siblings, Jettie Caudill, Bill Calihan, Arie Calihan, Hattie Taylor, Green “Junior” Calihan, Joe Callahan, Doyle Calihan and Janelle Fields; daughter, Carolene “Carol” Dieckman; son, Gary Calihan; granddaughter, Sonya Campbell and great-granddaughter, Isabella.
Services were entrusted to Brater Winter Funeral Home, Harrison, Ohio. www.braterfh.com
Memorials may be made in Johnny Calihan’s memory directly to Harrison Church of the Nazarene, 249 Sunset Ave., Harrison, OH 45030.
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