History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Callahan Funeral Home, Inc. is an INDEPENDENT, FULL SERVICE Funeral Home established in Callahan, Florida in 1970 to serve Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia with sincere, economical services.
Although our tradition is steeped in “traditional” funerals, Callahan Funeral Home, Inc. offers a wide variety of contemporary Funeral Service Options tailored to suite every family’s wishes and to reflect their loved ones’ personality & lifestyle.
Our History
Callahan Funeral Home, Inc. was founded on July 20, 1970 by Ellis L. McAninch, Sr. (1928-1976), who had a vision to establish an independently owned funeral home to provide economical service rendered with pride & dignity.
After Mr. McAninch’s untimely death at age 48, the mantle of ownership was passed on to his wife Doris S. McAninch (1927-2007). “Mrs. Mac” as she was known throughout the community, continued her husband’s dream of sincere, affordable funeral service to a growing Nassau Co. and surrounding areas, including the major metropolitan era of Jacksonville, Florida.
Having already retired from one career (Naval Air Station Jacksonville), in 1973, Mrs. Mac finally retired from her second career at Callahan Funeral Home in 2006, turning the reins over to her son EllisL. McAninch, Jr.
Ellis L. McAninch, Jr. began his formal education upon graduating from West Nassau High School in Callahan in 1977, although he had helped his father in business since the age of 13. In preparation for mortuary school, Ellis attended Florida Junior College (now F.S.C.) from 1977-1979.
While attending junior college, Ellis also performed his internship under the guidance of Kyle-McLellan Funeral Directors of Jacksonville.
Ellis then attended Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science (now Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service) in Atlanta, GA., graduating with honors in August, 1980. After college, Ellis earned his embalmer’s license in 1981 and Funeral Director’s License in 1982, returning to Callahan Funeral Home, Inc. fulltime to continue his father’s tradition of quality funeral service, proudly serving his home community for nearly 30 years.
Our Valued Staff
Ellis L. McAninch, Jr., Owner/ LFDIC
Charlotte A. McAninch, Owner/ Funeral Home Cordinator