Paul Gahan
M 1916 - 2005| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Paul Gahan |
| Born | 1916-04-22 Danbury, Woodbury County, Iowa |
| Gender | M |
| Died | 2005-11-18 |
| Buried |
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Father | Joseph D. Gahan |
| Mother | Anna Crilly |
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Family | Bernice E. Kellen d. (1997-06-22) |
| Married | 1948-08-28, Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa |
| Children |
Notes
Paul Gahan April 22, 1916-Nov. 18, 2005
Paul J. Gahan, age 89 of Danbury, Iowa died Friday, November 18, 2005, at Sioux City, Iowa.
Services were held 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 21 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Danbury with Rev. Terry Roder as celebrant and Rev. Robert Schimmer as concelebrant. Burial was in the Danbury Catholic Cemetery with military graveside honors by the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336. Julie Hamman was the organist and vocalist for the service. St. Mary’s Choir also provided music, which included “America, The Beautiful”, “On Eagles Wings”, “Precious Lord”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”. A vigil wake service was held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, followed by the rosary led by the Knights of Columbus, all at the church.
Paul Joseph Gahan was born April 22, 1916, in Danbury, Iowa, the son of Joseph D. and Anna (Crilly) Gahan. He lived his early years in Britt, Iowa until adolescence when he returned to Danbury.
He graduated from St. Patrick’s Academy in Danbury in 1934. He began working in Crilly’s General Store while in the 7th grade and continued working there until moving to California in 1936. While in California, he worked with the Bank of America until 1942 when he enlisted in the Navy to serve his country. He was later transferred to the Marine Corp as the Marines prepared to leave for the Pacific Theatre. He received an honorable discharge in October 1945, having earned the Bronze Star Medal, Navy-Marine Corp Medal, American Theatre Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Medal, and Victory World War II Medal. He returned to Danbury in 1946 and began working with Farmer’s Savings Bank. He was President, CEO, and sat on the board of directors at the time of his retirement in 1984. He belonged to the Iowa Bankers Association, Iowa Independent Bank Association and the American Banker Association.
On August 28, 1948, he was united in marriage to Bernice E. Kellen in Sioux City, Iowa. She passed away June 22, 1997.
Paul was a member of the Danbury Fire Department, the American Legion Carlson-Frum Post #336 of Danbury, and the Danbury Community Club. He was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Danbury and the Holy Rosary/Knights of Columbus. He served as State Treasurer for the Knights of Columbus for 22 years.
He spent many summers at Lake Okoboji where he enjoyed sailing and boating. Since his retirement 21 years ago, he spent the winter months in Mesa, Arizona. He was an avid Cubs fan and didn’t miss a spring-training game.
Those left to cherish his memory are three daughters; Lynn (Rick) Hamers and Ellen (John) Boyle of Danbury, and Lois Gahan-Gootz of Tucson, Arizona; five grandsons, Kevin Hamers of North Liberty, Iowa, David Hamers of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Steve Hamers and Matt and Alex Boyle of Danbury; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a brother, John Gahan, a sister, Mary Schimmer, and a son-in-law, Bill Gootz.
Pallbearers were Kevin Hamers, Steve Hamers, David Hamers, Matt Boyle, Tom Schimmer and Bob Mohrhauser.
Arrangements were made under the direction of the Armstrong Funeral Home of Danbury-Mapleton.
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