HOISINGTON — Geraldine Callaway, 83, was born April 30, 1928, in Dodge City, to the Rev. Louis Clyde and Lorraine Goddard Gale. Geraldine died Dec. 10 in Hoisington.

Geraldine (Gerry) graduated from Fort Hays State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. She was a homemaker and retired school teacher having taught in Scott City, Hoisington, and Jacksonville, Fla. On May 21, 1955, she married Benjamin W. Tempero Jr., a young widower with two small children of rural Hoisington. He died in 1985. On April 16, 1989, she married the Rev. Jack Callaway of Lyons. They resided in the rural Hoisington area until moving to Great Bend in 1995.

Geraldine was a life long member of the Methodist Church, including 57 years in the Hoisington First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and was active in United Methodist Women. She was secretary of the church trustees, member of the church council, and, as church historian, wrote a documented book of northern Barton County history entitled "If the Prairie Could Talk." Geraldine served on various district and conference church committees and was president of the Kansas West Conference United Methodist Women from 1988-1992.

During college, Gerry was a member of Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Women’s Leadership Organization, Women’s Athletic Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, the Fort Hays State A Cappella Choir, Kappa Phi, and Wesley Foundation. Geraldine was a member of Chapter GG of the P.E.O. Sisterhood in Hoisington, Beta Sigma Phi, Una Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, Wet/Dry Routes of the Santa Fe Trail, and a life member of the Hoisington Community Historical Society. She was also a past member of the Kansas Retired Teachers’ Association, the Kansas YWCA Board, and served as president of the Women’s Physical Education Teachers of Kansas. Gerry was a life member of the Girl Scouts of America and served as a local leader for numerous years. She enjoyed reading and family vacations in Colorado that combined fun with cultural and educational activities.

Survivors include her husband, Jack Callaway of the Presbyterian Manor of Sterling; two daughters, Susan Payne (Mrs. Brooks) of Berrien Springs, Mich., and Debra Lewis (Mrs. Timothy Joseph, Sr.) of Great Bend; one son, Scott Gale Tempero of Great Bend; a stepdaughter, Kathryn Tempero Anstaett (Mrs. Don) of Warsaw, Mo.; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Other survivors include a stepdaughter, Janette Callaway Hill (Mrs. Harlan) of Sterling; one stepson, Robert Callaway of Ottawa; six step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and one step-great-great-grand child. Geraldine was preceded in death by infant twin daughters, Janice and Janet Tempero; one sister, June Welty (Mrs. Richard); and stepsons, Thomas Tempero and Mark Callaway.

Services will be held 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Hoisington First United Methodist Church with Pastor Kris Brinlee officiating. Burial will follow at Hoisington Cemetery. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m., at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Hoisington First United Methodist Church, the American Heart Association, or donor’s choice in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.