Mary Margaret (Witt) Calhan, 87, passed away of natural causes on July 2, 2020 at Wellbrooke
of Crawfordsville.
She was born at home in rural Montgomery County, on June 18, 1933, and was one of 12
children born to Arthur and Daisy (Scott) Witt.
She graduated from Roachdale High School in 1951 and from St. Vincent's School of Nursing in
Indianapolis in 1955. Margaret was the first in her family to attend and graduate from college,
paving the way for three of her younger sisters to follow into nursing. She began her nursing
career at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Indianapolis in 1955.
On November 5, 1955, she married Robert Calhan at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in
downtown Crawfordsville, Indiana.
When she and Bob moved to Jamestown, she worked private duty while their children were
young. The family moved to the New Ross/ Mace area where she began working at Culver
Union Hospital as a floor nurse.
Margaret, was one of the first nurses to staff the new Intensive Coronary Care Unit at Culver,
and was later promoted to nurse manager of the emergency room at Culver AMI. She retired
from Culver AMI Hospital in 1995, but continued to work as a private duty nurse and volunteer
at the Well Baby Clinic.
She and Bob enjoyed 55 years of marriage before Bob's death in 2010. Margaret
is survived by her five children, Catherine (Randal) Fischer, Brownsburg; Mary Therese Calhan,
Zionsville; Elizabeth (David) Flohr, Ladoga; John (Kelly) Calhan, Zionsville; L. Colleen Calhan,
Chicago, IL.; and grandchildren Matthew (Tricia) Fischer, Ben (Regan) Fischer, Stephen
(Kristin) Fischer, Laura Fischer, Courtney Calhan, Liam Calhan, Emma Flohr and Veda Calhan.
Great-grandchildren Rosemary Fischer and Everett Fischer, two sisters Shirley (Ron) Warner,
and Betty Cloncs, and many nieces and nephews also survive.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Wanetta Morehouse; Judy
Bruce; Connie Long; Jean DeTrude; brothers Arthur Witt, Jr., Charles Witt, Vernon Witt, and two
siblings, Anna and Paul, who died at an early age.
Margaret was a pillar of strength within her family and throughout her life. She will be
remembered with love for her unwavering support of her family and friends. Not everyone may
have known Margaret, but those who did were often touched by her kindness and her ability to
see humanity in each person.
A private family Mass will be held Monday, July 6 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Burial will
follow at Calvary Cemetery, Crawfordsville.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the nursing staff at Wellbrooke who
provided excellent care to our mother, and to all the healthcare workers who tirelessly put their
lives on the line everyday, especially during this pandemic.
Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery County Free Clinic, PO Box 86,
Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Visit the website: www.mcfreeclinic.org to make a donation.