James Callen

James Joseph Callan, age 70, of the Town of Metomen, died Saturday, September 14, 1996, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee after complications related to his heart transplant on April 25, 1991. He was one of the oldest living recipients of a heart transplant.

He was born April 26, 1926, in Ripon, a son of Leo and Eleanor (Havey) Callan. He attended school in Rosendale and was a graduate of Ripon High School. Jim farmed with his Dad from 1944-1946, at which time from 1946-1950, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952. On April 23, 1956, he married Muriel Knapp, and she passed away in 1982. He later married Mary Zingler, daughter of Ken and Mary Zingler of Green Bay, on January 26, 1990. Jim had lived all of his life in the Ripon area, and had spent the past 5 years wintering on Marco Island in Florida.

Jim worked as an agricultural salesman for Russell, Staley and Cargill Seed Companies from the early 1950’s thru 1970. He then owned and operated the UpJohn Home Health Care Services until his retirement in 1987. Over the years, Jim was highly involved in the political party. He was a member of the Wisconsin Democratic Association and was a consultant with the Democratic Party. He was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Ripon. Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing, and will be sadly missed by his faithful dog, Brennan.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; l brother, John (Geraldine) Callan of Ripon; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1st wife, Muriel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will of offered Wednesday, September 18, 1996, at 10 A.M. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Ripon with Father William L. Toelle officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Town of Springvale. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 until 7:30 P.M. at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon with a Rosary following at 7:30 P.M.

A Memorial has been established.