Phyllis Jean Osborn Kalin, 96, of Galesburg died unexpectedly Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at home in Hitchcock Senior Apartments.
Phyllis was born Oct. 3, 1929, in Shenandoah, Iowa, to Ervin C. and Leota Mae Sawyer Osborn. She married William “Bill” Kalin on Nov. 23, 1961, in New York City. He preceded her in death in 1995.
Phyllis is survived by one brother, Harold L. (Becky) Osborn; daughter-in-law, Marjory (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; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Richard C. Osborn; her husband; and a stepson, Bill Kalin Jr.
Phyllis graduated from Milan, Missouri, High School in 1947 and earned a degree in education from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University). She did additional study at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
She taught in rural schools and Sullivan County, Missouri, before moving to Galesburg, where she taught two years at L.T. Stone School, 14 years at Hitchcock Elementary and 13 years at Lincoln Elementary, plus two years in Peoria.
Phyllis was active in the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Knox County Retired Teachers Association and Alpha Delta Kappa International Sorority for Women Educators, a member since 1949.
She loved traveling, music, spending time with family and friends, people, God and her country.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with funeral services following at 11 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.