Birth date: Jun 15, 1933 Death date: Apr 6, 2017
OBITUARY Joseph D. 'Papa Joe' Callis, Sr. Joseph D. 'Papa Joe' Callis, Sr., 83 years of Columbia, Illinois, passed away on April 6, 2017 at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Louis, MO. He was born June 15, 1933, in Paducah, KY, son of Read Obituary
PaPa Joe was my favorite law officer. Nobody knows how many times he saved me or followed me home. He told my dad of the big drug bust and dad sent me to California to get into forestry and go to college in 1974. (I never did drugs or pot but dad and PaPa Joe didn't want me to go to the party that next weekend. I really loved him. My whole family did❤️
My deepest sympaty to Paula, Danny Joe and Dennis. Your Dad was not only a good father figure to you, but to many of us growing up in Columbia.
Columbia's Finest! You will be remembered and missed by many. Rest in peace Papa Joe
Kent Schaffer
Edmond, Oklahoma
Thoughts and Prayers go to the Family. He was a great man and my friend he will be missed
Gary Reichert
Jaco, Costa Rica
Thoughts & Prayers go out to his family. He was a very sweet man & will be greatly missed.He always had a big smile for me every morning.R.I.P. Joe... Carol Chandler
I am so sad at hearing this. Papa Joe. So many memories but a couple that stand out are, back in Feb of 1979 I had my son and after being home a few days, I needed to run to the store for diapers and formula. You know the things a new Mom needs. I get in the car and head to IGA and the sirens come on and I'm about to crap my pants because I did not even have a drivers license on me. so I pull over and Papa Joe walks up to the window and I'm already in tears and he says, " why you crying already. I just wanted to see that new baby." He scared the life out of me. Papa Joe was one of the best men I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
The other one that stands out is when my son was 2 yrs old and I lived in the basement apartment across the street to the side of the police station and my grandparents had their 50th wedding anniversary. The lady on the top floor babysat for me that night so I could go to the anniversary party, so when I got dropped off at home and went upstairs to get my child, needless to say I was feeling the celebration and since the building was on an inclined yard I had trouble getting to the door to my apartment. I kept going up but kept coming back down. Just couldn't make that hill to the top. so here comes Papa Joe. He takes my son out of my arms and takes my arm and helps me up the hill and into my apartment and puts my son safely to bed. Then he looks at me and says," It's a good thing you weren't driving young lady"
Oh how we all loved Papa Joe growing up in Columbia. He was and will always be the best Columbia PD had. RIP Papa Joe. You were and are loved by many and will be missed by all.
Mary Jane Sellers Jackson
As teenager under his watch he sure kept a whole lot of us safe.He was toally fair with us.He will be totally missed. Prayers for the family friends.Gid bless you. R.I.P. Pappa Joe
Keeping the family in our hearts and prayers, we send our deepest sympathy. Papa Joe was a wonderful man and loved by everyone. He will be greatly missed.
