Phyllis J. Kalin

Long time Galesburg resident, Phyllis Jean Osborn Kalin, 96, passed away unexpectedly at home in the Hitchcock Senior Apartments on January 5, 2026.

Phyllis was born to Ervin C. and Leota Mae Sawyer Osborn on October 3, 1929, in Shenandoah, Ia. The family moved to Bloomington, Ill., where Phyllis received her early education. Later the family moved to a farm near Osgood, Mo. Phyllis graduated from Milan, Mo., High School in 1947, and graduated with a degree in education from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College, now Truman State University, in Kirksville, Mo. She did additional study at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Phyllis began her teaching career in rural schools and taught eight years in Sullivan Co., Mo., then moving to Galesburg, Il., where she taught for two years at L.T. Stone school, 14 years at Hitchcock Elementary, 13 years at Lincoln Elementary, and two years in Peoria, Il.

On November 23, 1961, in New York City, Phyllis was united in marriage to William “Bill” Kalin. She was active in the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Knox County Retired Teachers Association, and Alpha Delta Kappa International Sorority for Women Educators of which she was a member since 1949.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Richard C. Osborn, husband Bill Kalin in 1995; and a stepson, Bill Kalin, Jr. She is survived by one brother Harold L. (Becky) Osborn, daughter-in-law Marjorie (Kalin) McVey (Bill), sister-in-law Karen Osborn, step-daughter Pauline Semich, nine step-grandchildren: Kristine (Matthew) Sprinkle, Bill (Julie) Kalin, Sharon Kalin, Sue Balint, Laurie Easton, Mindy (Paul) Nicholas, Randy (Carol) Larson, Jenna (Tony) Loban, Scott (Kris) Wagher, niece Becky L’Ecuyer, nephews Jim (Kristy) Osborn, Tony (Gina) Osborn, niece Jeanne ( Randy) Youngman, and many great-nieces and nephews.

Phyllis loved traveling, music, spending time with family and friends; she loved people, God, and her country. Phyllis will be greatly missed by all of those she loved.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Theresa Wise will officiate. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. In lieu of flowers, make donations to your favorite charity in Phyllis’s honor. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.