Maurice Emerson Callender, 91, retired Eli Lilly & Co. research chemist, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at The Altenheim community in Beech Grove. Born July 31, 1920, in Indianapolis, he was the son of John R. and Flora (Martin) Callender. Callender married his high school sweetheart, Mary Frances (Milholland) Callender Nov. 20, 1941. After 63 years of marriage, she preceded him in death April 18, 2005. A 1937 graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, he was named its alumnus of the year in 2005. He earned his bachelor''s degree in zoology from Butler University in 1949 and his master''s in microbiology from Butler in 1951. He was an avid fan of Butler Basketball and was thrilled to receive a birthday greeting from Butler''s coach Brad Stevens on his 90th birthday. Called "Emerson" by family and friends, he was known as "Maury" at work. He retired from the position of Research Associate with Eli Lilly & Co. in 1985, having been employed there for 42 years. He was internationally recognized for his work in avian coccidiosis, a parasitic disease of domestic fowl, leading a team in the development of Coban, a highly successful preventative treatment for this condition. Callender holds a U.S. patent and 42 foreign patents on Coban and similar products, and is the author of more than 30 scientific publications. In addition, he maintained memberships in several scientific societies, including the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the American Society of Parasitologists, the Society of Tropical Poultry science, the Indiana Academy of Science, and the Society of Sigma Xi. A World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served as a hospital corpsman, providing front-line medical care to Marine Corps soldiers as they island-hopped across the South Pacific; he also served with units charged with rebuilding medical facilities in Nagasaki shortly after the city''s destruction in 19456. He is a past commander of Eli Lilly Post 374 of the American Legion. A 50-year member of Prospect Lodge No. 714, Free and Accepted Masons, Callender was also a member of the Scottish Rite and Murat Shrine Temple. Active in Boy Scouting for more than 30 years, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1935, then, as an adult leader, received Scouting''s highest honor for service, the Silver Beaver Award, in 1965. He was also in the first group of Indiana Masons to receive the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award for his service to Boy Scouting. He was named a Distinguished Hoosier by Gov. Evan Bayh. In his spare time, Emerson enjoyed traveling, photography, music, reading, camping trips with his children and grandchildren, and making a difference in the lives of others. He will be missed dearly. Survivors include a son, John Clyde (Glenda) Callender of Indianapolis; three daughters, Cynthia Ann (Edward Sebring) Rider of Terre Haute, Lorraine (Martin) Getty of Decatur, Ill; and Carol Ann (Micheal) Dixon of Cicero; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens Funeral home, 1977 South State Road 135, Greenwood, IN. A Masonic service and funeral service with the Rev. Worth Hartman officiating will be held at 6 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Butler University, University Advancement, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208 (gifts@Butler.edu), or to the American Diabetes Association, 6415 Castleway West Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46250.