O’Callaghan, JoAnn 1936-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
On August 24, 2025, JoAnn Churchill O’Callaghan faithfully walked into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can only imagine the celebration there was in Heaven as she was finally reunited with her husband of 67 years, Robert “Bob” O’Callaghan.
JoAnn was born on Aug. 3, 1936, to Della and Richard Churchill in St. Joseph. She grew up in a devout catholic family, often telling stories from her school days at St. Francis, roller skating with her siblings, and the origin of her lifelong distaste of anything “fishy”. At the age of 12, she met a tall, dark and handsome boy who would later become the love of her life.
What began as a simple trip to the drug store for ice cream turned into a love story spanning more than seven decades. On her parent’s wedding anniversary, Sept. 17th, 1953, at just 17 years old, she married Bob, and together they built a life filled with faith, family, and an immense love for one another. They enjoyed years of traveling, family vacations to Branson, hunting for treasures at garage sales, and proudly wearing matching t-shirts wherever they went. They were faithful members of St. Joseph Church of the Nazarene and later Faith Bible Church.
JoAnn was an avid prayer warrior, known for having signs reminding her to pray for each of her grandchildren scattered throughout her home. For over 20 years, she shared her love of Jesus as a teacher and later director of Peter Pan Play School at the Church of the Nazarene. Mrs. JoAnn especially loved reading The Little Red Hen and pouring into the lives of both the children and their parents.
Family was at the center of JoAnn’s heart. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great- grandmother. Sundays often meant piling as many grandchildren they could fit into the car with her and Bob as they headed to church. And if you were lucky enough to be picked up from school by them, you could always count on grandma waiting with a Ding-Dong or Twinkie. Together, Grandma and Grandpa’s love and devotion created a family legacy that continues to grow.
She is survived by her children: Terry (Steve) Fisher, Mike (Juanita) O’Callaghan, Robin (Jim) Longnecker, and Donna (Chuck) Adkins; her grandchildren: Stephanie (Robbie) Riggs, Andy (Megan) Fisher, Shawn (Jennifer) Fisher, Courtney (Clint) O’Callaghan, Heather (Brad) Taylor, Amy (Neil) Stangeland, Aubrey (Timmy) Tucker, Ashley (Nathan) Sosa, and Chauncey (Jacob) Grubb; her great-grandchildren: Kyle, Kelsey, Scott, Kaythlyn, Clareece, Seth, Hunter, Gage, Katie, Andrea, Steven, Maylee, Ryker, KJ, Sebastian, Liam, Ariel, Kayden, Jensen, Brock, Dalton, Annelise, and Luke; her great-great-grandchildren: Barrett, Lynnox, Brilynn, Beckette, Blaykley and with two more grandbabies on the way. She is also survived by her sister, Bernie (Kenny) Springs.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her loving husband Bob; her parents, Della and Richard; her siblings, Mary, Martha Rose, Donna Mae, Dean, Elmer, and Frankie; and her precious grandbaby, Chance.
She will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to her husband and family, her steadfast prayers, and most of all, her deep faith in Christ.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home. Funeral services and public live stream 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Rupp Funeral Home. The Interment will be at the Savannah Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Faith Bible Church.
Online condolences, obituary and public live stream at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
