Allen Callender

Allen “Dutch” Keith Callender was born at 278 Bement Street in Edgerton on October 16, 1915 to Glen E and Vesta (Brown) Callender. His father, Glen, grandfather George and great-grandfather James Callender all lived their entire lives in Edgerton. His father, Glen, had an ice house located on the St Joe River which later became Callender’s Creamery and then Callender’s Dairy. His mother’s father was John Mortimer Brown and his father, Dr. David Newton Brown was one of the original businessman in Hamilton, Indiana, operating a doctor’s office and the first drugstore there. Allen was nicknamed “Dutch” when he was five, because according to his mother, he was “stubborn as a Dutchman”. The character trait and the nickname both stayed with him for the rest of his life. For obvious reasons, Dutch considered himself a “local”. While in high school, graduating with the Class of 1933, Dutch worked a variety of jobs. As exemplified by his generation, he learned how to do whatever job was available. He started out as a popcorn salesman and a paper delivery boy. After eloping with Georgetta Day on December 28th, 1938, he worked for his father-in-law, Roger Day, for Day and Day Oil, where he was a driver, a construction worker, an office manager and an “oil man”. Our dad was very proud of his service to his country during World War II. Drafted as a private, he was promoted through the ranks to Warrant Officer by the end of the War. He served in the European Theater, primarily in Marseille, France. After the war he continued with the Day Brother’s, then went into the dairy business. Dutch next worked for the US Post Office, both as a postal clerk and then promoted to Postmaster. After his first retirement, he and his wife Georgetta completed their goal of visiting all fifty states, many of the cities he had been stationed in while in Europe, and Callander, Scotland. They then moved to Palm Springs, California where Dutch was a Marshal at golf tournaments, getting to meet many of his golfing heroes. None were able to match Dutch’s record of two holes in one in one day, which he had accomplished a few years before on a long golf day at Cold Springs Par three course. In addition to golf, Dutch was a sharp shooter, a member of the John D. Smith Memorial Chapter of the American Legion for over sixty-fiye years, serving as both District and State Commander, a member of the Lion’s Club, Edgerton Rotary, and a charter member of the Edgerton Historical Society. He belonged for many years to the Edgerton Methodist Church, and then transferred his membership to the Hamilton Methodist Church. He and Georgetta retired one last time to Boulder City, Neveda where he was able as a player at the Gold Strike Casino to provide his large extended family with many all expense paid family reunions. It was his great desire to return to the north shore of Hamilton Lake and spend his remaining time in his cottage home. He was able to spend the past winter there, and the family cannot express enough loving gratitude to his dedicated caretakers, Shirley Humphrey, Cathy Thompson, Joyce Grimm and Karen Jones. He was also given many years of love and care from three Hospice Angels, Connie Schweyer, Lindsay Steury and Jan Becker. Dutch made sure to thoroughly spoil his four daughters that survive him, Dr. Sara Stark (Sean Flynn), Ukiah California, Dr. Alana Callender, Rock Island, Illinois, Diana Herkimer (Carl), Rancho Mirage, California, Elizabeth Wirick, Sylvania, Ohio. He is also survived by a son-in-law Clint Wirick (Suz) of Archbold, Ohio, seven grandchildren, Todd Wirick (Susan), Lisa Allison (Mark), Craig Herkimer (Taryn), Major John Ferguson (Cheryl) Dr. Katy Swerdlick (Marc), Cristy Kec (Patrick) and Allen Callender (Natalie), and thirteen great-grandchildren. He has two sisters who will miss him, Doris Flowers of Edgerton, Ohio and Dottie Mullendore (Keith) of Snow Lake, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife Georgetta, his brother Kelly, and his son-in-law Dan Stark. A graveside service will be held on May 30 at 10:30 at the Edgerton cemetery. The family will host a pie and coffee reception to celebrate our father’s wonderful life between one and four pm at the Edgerton Senior Center, located in the basement of the Edgerton Library. Donations may be made to Cameron Hospice Care, 416 E. Maumee of Angola, Indiana 46703 or a charity of the donor’s choice.