Joan McClain Callahan

Joan McClain Callahan, 85, a lifelong resident of Point Marion, PA, peacefully passed away at her home early Sunday, February 20, 2011. Born in Point Marion on June 7, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Raymond C. and Miriam Snowden McClain. She graduated from Point Marion High School in 1943 and West Virginia University in 1947. Mac was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority and served on the House Corporation Board of the Alpha Xi chapter at WVU. For many years, she was an active member of the local alumnae association and received the national Delta Gamma Cable Award in 1984. She was a passionate Mountaineer fan and a member of the WVU Alumni Association Emeritus Club. She was a member of the Point Marion United Methodist Church where she was treasurer of the Board of Trustees and a member of United Methodist Women. Her other memberships included Point Marion Progress Club and Ingleside Book Club of Morgantown. A social studies teacher, Mrs. Callahan touched the lives of many students at Mapletown Junior-Senior High School and later at Albert Gallatin Senior High School. Following her retirement, Joan and a group of seven area residents formed the Community Civic Organization. Believing the history of our area should be preserved, they compiled the book Point Marion…from the Beginning. Joan belonged to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Clan Maclean Association, Duart, Scotland. She was a direct descendant of Robert McClain and Casper Everly, early local settlers. Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Harry L. Tut Callahan. They co-owned the family furniture and appliance business, Clar-Mac Sales, in Point Marion. Together they enjoyed many activities. Joan was a Paul Harris Fellow and Rotary Benefactor and supported her husband during his tenure as District Governor of District #733. Joan and Tut traveled extensively for Rotary, for pleasure, as well as, attending the many events in their children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Survivors include four children and their spouses, Beth and Larry Reseter of Bruceton Mills, WV, Rence and Barbara Callahan of Winston-Salem, NC, Meg and Van Lloyd of Irvine, CA, and David and Zoann Callahan of Point Marion; 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Megan and Todd Blossom, Tyler Reseter, Lawren and Jigar Desai, Katie and Jay Callahan, Emmy and Jon Curtin, Kathleen and Gabe Garney, Hunt Lloyd, Ashleigh and CJ Callahan, Paige Callahan, and Drew Callahan; three great-grandchildren, Sophia Curtin, Jake Desai, and McKinley Callahan. The family will receive friends in the Richard R. Herod Funeral Home, Point Marion, on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-9 pm and Friday in the Point Marion United Methodist Church from noon until 1 pm, the hour of the service. Private interment will be in the Evergreen Memorial Park, Point Marion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Miriam McClain Scholarship Fund of the Point Marion Progress Club, % Janet Daugherty, 16 Railroad Street, Point Marion, PA 15474.

Joan McClain Callahan

June 7, 1925 - February 25, 2011