JOHNSON COUNTY, INDIANA
Marian Dolorus Callon, noted Johnson County historian, philanthropist, community servant-leader, and award-winning educator, died at Greenwood Village South on Monday, April 26, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 93.
Marian was born at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on June 16, 1927, to H. Paul and E. Lucille (McFadden) Callon. She was scheduled to be born by Caesarean section on June 17, but, establishing a lifelong pattern, she decided to come early.
Marian graduated from Trafalgar High School and from Franklin College with a degree in English and mathematics education, earned her master’s degree in education from Butler University, and obtained certifications in special education and guidance from Indiana University and the University of Wisconsin. She taught at Center Grove and Connersville, but spent the majority of her career in education at Columbus (later Columbus North) High School, where she taught English, mathematics, and special education, and then became dean of women for 22 years. She was inducted into the Bartholomew County School Corporation Education Hall of Fame in 2002.
In 1990, Marian published the book, Trafalgar, My Hometown, which has gone through three printings. For about a decade she wrote a weekly column on daily life in the first half of the twentieth century in southern Johnson County for The Scout, a publication of the Daily Journal. She also left drafts of two additional book manuscripts, and written copies of numerous family stories.
Marian was known for her giving nature and as a hard worker. She provided loving care for her mother during her long decline from Parkinson’s disease, as well as caring for two aunts, a great-aunt by marriage, and the great-aunt’s sister. She cared for the first three while working full-time. In retirement, she spent many hours helping care for and provide adventures for her great-nieces and great-nephews.
Marian established an endowed scholarship fund at Franklin College for students from Indian Creek and Columbus, an endowed fund at the Johnson County Community Foundation to benefit Trafalgar United Methodist Church (now the Trafalgar campus of Mt. Auburn Church), and co-founded the Callon-Doub Professional Development Fellowship in Mathematics at Franklin College. She created education trust funds that would pay for four years of college for each of her six great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as for her great-great-niece and great-great-nephew. Five of those great-nieces and great-nephews are now pursuing careers in education.
Marian was a lifetime learner. Over her adult years, she learned to ice skate, play the organ, cane chairs, hook rugs, swim, make Tiffany lamps, and upholster furniture, among other pursuits. She could do almost any kind of craft or handwork.
Marian was honored as the Johnson County Older Hoosier of the Year in 1999. She served on the boards of Leadership Johnson County and the Trafalgar Community Health Center, and on the Franklin College Alumni Council, among other community roles, and was a longtime pianist and organist for the Trafalgar United Methodist Church and for Mt. Olive United Methodist Church in Peoga.
Marian was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, George and Ruth Callon, and by close neighbors and special friends Herbert and Gary Lancaster. She is survived by her nephew and niece-in-law Dan and Debbie Callon of Whiteland; her niece and nephew-in-law Cathy and Marty Pieratt of Butlerville; great-nieces and great-nephews Chelsey and Branden Thompson, Carter Pieratt, Layn Pieratt, Callie and Johnathan Garrett, Emily Callon, and Nathan and Lael Callon; great-great-niece and great-great-nephew Addy and Cal Thompson; and long-time best friend and travel companion Shirley Lyster. She leaves behind a legacy of loving service, hard work, and devotion to family.
Rev. Doug Bohall will conduct a Celebration of Marion’s life on Saturday, May 1 at 11:00 a.m. at Trafalgar United Methodist Church, 375 Pleasant Street, Trafalgar, Indiana 46181. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 30 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 North Morton Street, (U.S. 31 North) in Franklin, Indiana. Burial will be at First Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Franklin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marian Callon Endowment Fund at the Bull Dog Alumni Association of Columbus, Indiana; the Marian Callon Fund at the Johnson County Community Foundation; the Callon-Doub Professional Development Fellowship in Mathematics at Franklin College; or to the Living Tree Legacy Fund at Greenwood Village South.
Expressions of caring and kindness may be received to the family at www.flinnmaguire.net
