Ben M. “Mac” Callaway III, passed away peacefully at St. John’s Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Ben “Mac” was born Nov. 14, 1934, in Ava, Mo., to Elda Norman Callaway and Benjamin M. Callaway.
Ben “Mac” graduated from Ava High School as Valedictorian of his class. He attended Missouri University where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1956. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.
In 1956, he was employed by Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich., as Product Engineering Designer within the styling office.
In 1958, Ben “Mac” and JoEtta Whitacre were united in marriage.
He continued his work at Ford Motor and held the position of Resident Engineer and Principal Design Engineer.
In 1978, he was appointed Mgr., Interior Design and in 1980, held the position of Mgr., Car and Truck Package Design Dept.
In 1991, he was appointed Mgr., Truck Package and Design. He held that position until he retired in 1995.
Ben “Mac” was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn and he served on the board of trustees.
Ben “Mac” and Jo belonged to Normads Travel Group in Dearborn and have traveled around the world. They continued their membership after moving to Springfield and have many friends in the group.
After retirement, Ben “Mac” became interested in genealogy and spent hours finding descendants and corresponding with some.
He also loved to try to “Catch the big one” while fishing with his brother-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ben.
He is survived by his mother, Elda, Ava; his wife, JoEtta (Whitacre) Callaway, of Springfield; his sister, Cynthia Farnham and husband Arthur, Wichita, Kans.; his sister-in-law, Evon Long and husband Ralph (Diemer) Long, of Springfield; his cousin, Bob Crain and wife Delores, and daughter, Leigh Heriford and husband Randy, and children, all of Ava; niece, Robbin Graham and husband George, and sons, Ian and Nash, of Springfield; niece, Jacqueline Jenkins, of Dallas, Texas; nephew, David Farnham and wife Debbie, and son, Gabe, Wichita, Kans.; nephew, John Farnham, San Francisco, Calif.
Visitation was held Jan. 21, 2005, at Greenlawn South, followed by funeral services on Jan. 22. Burial was in Hazelwood Cemetery, Springfield.
Memorial contributions in Ben’s memory are suggested to the American Cancer Society or to the organization of the donor’s choice.
