Johnny Elroy Callahan, 87, of Austin, died, Thursday, April 2, 2015, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Johnny was born on Oct. 20, 1927, in Kanawah, Iowa, to Erle and Mary (Hewitt) Callahan. He served in Italy while in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947. On Aug. 22, 1948, he married Bernice Marie Stelter in Toeterville, Iowa.

Johnny was employed at Decker Packing Plant, B.F. Goodrich in Mason City, Iowa, and spent 18 years at International Harvester, before starting Callahan Sales and Service Inc. in 1971.

He enjoyed bowling, watching sports on TV and listening to old country music. He also memorized many inspirational poems that he recited at care centers in Iowa and Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law Marge and Darrel Deets; brother-in-law Jack Davison; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Lawrence and Gala Stelter, and Lucille and Brad Larson.

He is survived by his wife Bernice Callahan, Austin, Minnesota; sons: Larry Callahan, Austin, Minnesota, and Gary Callahan, Austin, Minnesota; sister Nada Davison, Nora Springs, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at the Crane Community Chapel with the Rev. Dale Christiansen officiating. Interment will be in the Toeterville Cemetery. Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday for one hour before the service.