September 2, 1942 – March 18, 2024
Virginia Callahan Ewing passed away into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on Monday, March 18, 2024. Born on September 2, 1942, in Adair County, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Henry C. and Eva Wise Callahan.
After growing up in Kentucky, Virginia came to Sheridan and started working for Pickett’s Poultry. Virginia spent many years working in electronics for Zaring Industries and then JB Electronics until they closed. On June 16, 1999, she started working for Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana. She retired in 2010 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2007, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She was a true survivor, bravely fighting both cancers without complaints.
Sheridan is where she met the Love of her life, Burlin C. Ewing. They were married on November 23, 1963, in Noblesville and celebrated 59 wonderful years together.
Virginia never met a stranger, and her infectious smile and easygoing sweet spirit could instantly put you at ease. Her heart always gravitated toward children, the elderly, and animals. She was always willing to help those in need, even if she didn’t have much herself.
She loved being with her family, and ALL holidays were spent at her house. She loved baking, and especially loved making desserts. She enjoyed sharing them with anyone who stopped by, and always found a way to send some home with everybody. When you went to her home you were always offered something to eat. Her son-in-law, Steve, affectionately named her “food pusher.”
Virginia enjoyed reading the Bible, and leafing through cookbooks, as well as hand quilting, gardening, and canning vegetables (which would become a summer tradition with her daughters). Making jelly was another one of her specialties. She and her daughter Trena made jelly for Christmas gifts last year. Another one of Virginia’s talents was crocheting; one summer she crocheted 100 hats that were given to the homeless for the winter.
Virginia had a passion for music and loved to sing. In 1977, she purchased a piano and enrolled all her children in piano lessons. Her children played and sang in church for many years at The Kirklin Assembly of God, where she was a member. She loved working with her children, teaching them harmony, and always telling them to “sing it with feeling!” She herself could play guitar and banjo. Eventually, her son Brian started playing guitar, her daughter Trena drums, and Tina was always on piano.
Virginia was a constant caregiver, caring for her sister Margaret until her death on August 24, 2022, and later for her own husband, Burlin, during the last years of his life. Burlin passed away on March 26, 2023. After his death, Virginia found peace in helping her granddaughter look after the newest addition to the family, baby Eber, who was born one week after her Burlin’s passing. She continued to help care for her great-grandchildren, Eugene, and Eber, on a nearly daily basis. They lovingly called her GiGi.
She loved Jesus, her husband, and her family with her whole heart! She loved spending time with her seven grandchildren, who her husband Burlin called “The Magnificent Seven.” She was loved by her entire family, leaving them truly heartbroken.
Virgina is survived by her three children, Tina (David) Kalman of Kirklin, Trena (Stephen) Hunt of Kirklin, and Brian (Rachelle) Ewing of Cicero; seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Brandon) Pickett of Sheridan, Wesley Malbone of Katy, Texas, Kristina Kalman of Sheridan, Ciara (Nick) Halbert of Noblesville, Taylor Ewing of Cicero, Christian Ewing of Cicero, and Ella Ewing of Cicero; special grandchild, Drew (Laurie) Hunt of Kirklin; great-grandchildren, Eugene Bennett Pickett, Eber Bailey Pickett, James Tyson Hunt, and Emma Lee Hunt; brother, Bradley (Linda) Callahan of Elk Horn, Ky.; sister-in-law, Stella Callahan of Knifley, Ky.; several nieces and nephews; and her feline, “The 8th Street Cat,” Coco.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry C. and Eva Wise Callahan; sisters, Margaret Stultz, and Mattie Bell Callahan; brothers, Herol, Eddie, and Coy Callahan; and by the love of her life, Burlin C. Ewing.
Services will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan. Burial will follow at Spencer Cemetery in Sheridan. Virginia’s son-in-law, David Kalman, will be officiating. Visitation will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Kercheval Funeral home in Sheridan.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com