Anna Mae (Dierckman) Callahan, 89, of St. Leon, IN, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Born in her family home and raised in Sunman, Anna Mae graduated from Sunman High School in 1955. She moved to St. Leon in 1957 after marrying Maurice Callahan, where she would go on to become a beloved fixture in both her family and the community.
Anna Mae was the matriarch of her family and a cherished part of St. Leon. For years, she cared for children in her home, and her door was always open to neighborhood children and the friends of her children and grandchildren. Affectionately known as Mamaw, she always kept plenty of candy in the cupboard and her favorite Schwan’s ice cream in the freezer for everyone to enjoy. If you passed by the Callahan home, chances were you would see people coming and going and children playing in the yard. Her home was a place where everyone was welcome, and there was always room for one more.
For more than 45 years, Anna Mae could be found bartending or cooking at St. Leon’s favorite watering hole. It was during the years of Paul’s Bar that a beloved tradition began. One day, Anna Mae made a pot of soup at home and brought it into the bar to see if anyone would like it. It sold out immediately! Recognizing a good thing, Paul bought her a large soup pot, and “Anna Mae’s Soup” soon became a beloved staple on the menu. Her offerings included chili, beef vegetable, chicken noodle, and bean soup, all of which became local favorites. Through the years, the establishment changed names, from Batta’s Tavern to Paul’s Bar and eventually St. Leon Tavern, but Anna Mae’s Soup remained a constant. Just a couple of years ago, when she decided it was time to retire from making soup, the current owner spent time with Anna Mae writing down her recipes and learning how to prepare them just right, ensuring that her tradition could continue.
At home, Anna Mae enjoyed tending to her flowers, baking, mowing the grass, and raising chickens. She loved hosting Euchre tournaments, where friends and family gathered for plenty of friendly competition. Each year, she also ran the lunch stand at the St. Leon Volunteer Fireman’s Festival. A lifelong member of St. Joseph’s, Anna Mae remained deeply connected to her faith and community.
Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and few things made her happier than snuggling with the babies. She was blessed to meet three of her newest great-grandchildren this year. Anna Mae also looked forward to Wednesdays at the sale barn, where she enjoyed finding treasures and buying at least one or two videotapes for her grandchildren each week, a tradition she continued for years. As they grew older, her grandchildren took turns driving her to the sale barn, giving them special opportunities to spend the day together. They even persuaded her to make a few TikTok videos, which never failed to make her laugh.
Anna Mae will be deeply missed by her children Jerry (Kim) Callahan, Debbie (Gerald) Bruns, Greg (Marissa) Callahan, Jackie (Jake) Gaynor, Randy (Sharon) Callahan, Brenda (Randy) Ratz, Jeff “Gutz” Callahan, Tammy (Andy) Bischoff, Darren (Teresa) Callahan, Jamie Callahan, Kevin (Emily) Callahan; 37 grandchildren and 53 great grandchildren; siblings Thelma Schornick, Myrtle (Hershel) Hillenbrand, Arnold (Sharon) Dierckman, Carol (John) Knue, Roger (Vivian) Dierckman; and best friends golden retrievers Sandy, Rufus, and Trooper. She is preceded in death by Maurice Callahan, her husband of 53 years; siblings Evelyn Hornberger, Alma Herbert, Ronald Dierckman; parents Lawrence and Anna (Federle) Dierckman.
Visitation honoring Anna Mae will be held on Thursday, October 22 at the Parish Life Center at St. Joseph Campus of All Saints Parish. The Rosary will begin at 4:30pm followed by visitation until 8:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00am on Friday, October 23 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery. For those unable to attend, Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Donations can be made to Theo’s Gift, a non-profit organization inspired by her great-grandson, Theo, who was born with a congenital heart defect. The organization is dedicated to supporting families navigating the complexities of caring for a child born with a congenital heart condition. Donations can be made at the visitation or by visiting www.theosgift.org. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com.