Edward & Shirley Calahan are entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and communicators who've spent their lives serving the Chicagoland community. This longstanding and committed team has been delivering to their community for over four decades.
With humbling beginnings, Edward had a dream and a vision of owning his own funeral business. After obtaining a degree in Mortuary Science from Worsham College in Wheeling, IL, Mr. Calahan established the Calahan Funeral Home in 1983, located at 7030 S. Halsted, Chicago. In just a few years, Shirley being an administrator and banker joined the family-owned business and obtained her degree from Worsham College as well.
Since their inception, the Calahan Funeral Home has made its mark providing exceptional service for funeral arrangements, “pre-need” planning, bereavement etiquette, funeral education, and large, high-profile funerals. Over the years, the Calahan's have created over 400 jobs and mentored more than 250 mortuary science students and Entre-Morticians interested in the funeral business.
In addition to entrepreneurship, the Calahan’s are philanthropists, co-founding the Calahan Foundation, a non-profit organization 501(c)3 created in 2009 to inspire youth through educational scholarships, college mentorship, and meeting the deep needs of the community. Since the inauguration of the Calahan Foundation, the Calahan’s have galvanized thousands of people to raise nearly $100,000 for need-based scholarships for high school students in the inner city communities.
In addition to scholarships, the Calahan Foundation has provided thousands of coats and toys to families in need living in shelters. Most recently, the Calahan Foundationraised over $10,000 and 130,000 pounds of supplies for residents of Houston, Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey. In addition to their philanthropic work, the Calahan's are also one of Chicago’s trusted voices on marriage and keynote speakers on business. They are the proud parents of Edward (Dominique), Keshia, Edric, and Valerie (Jasper) and the proud grandparents of Edward, Abby, Jasmine, Jayla and Jasper II.
The Calahan Foundation is preparing to present their biggest and most important Scholarship Gala in December. This event is their yearly gathering of Chicago's most elite and prominent community leaders to raise funds for much-needed scholarships. The amazing board, which consist of some powerful and progressive individuals, who each year pull together their network to create a life-changing experience.
Board members are as followed Edric L. Calahan, Calahan Funeral Home, Inc.; Valerie D. Calahan-Taylor, Calahan League of College Scholars (CLoCS) Chairperson, Calahan Funeral Home, Inc.; Alton Bell, Scholarship Chair, Bell Tax Service, Inc.; Dr. Dennis Deer, Cook County Commissioner 2nd District; Debra German, Moore Security, Inc.; Hank Johnson, Proven Business Solutions, Inc.; Brandiss Martin, Calahan League of College Scholars (CLoCS) Chairperson, Village of Berkeley; Dr. Richadine Murry, Educator; Patricia McCreary, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County; Charles Walls, Retired ComEd Executive; and Billie Williams, Active Residential Management Services, Inc.
The founding family insists that the Calahan Foundation exists to inspire youth through educational scholarships, college mentoring and meeting the deep needs of humanity through community outreach. For more details: http://www.calahanfoundation.org/celebration-of-giving-gala-2018.html.