Arline June (Svoboda) Phalin

Arline June Phalin, age 86 of Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully at the Reserve at Oswego, IL surrounded by her husband and family on Friday, March 19, 2021. She was born June 10, 1934 in Oak Park, IL. She was the daughter of the late Fred Joseph and Sylvia Jirsa Svoboda. In 1936, after the death of her mother in 1934, her father remarried and she was lovingly raised by her stepmother, Florence McCaskill Svoboda.

Her family relocated to Lakemoor, IL when she was young. She grew up in a musical family. As a child and teen, she played the violin, piano, and saxophone. She also loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. In her later years, she played the organ. Most importantly she shared her love of music by encouraging her children and helping them to do the same.

Arline attended McHenry High School graduating in 1952. She briefly attended Patricia Stevens Career College in Chicago, before marrying her high school sweetheart, Donald A. Phalin of McHenry in 1953. They started their family of six children and made Crystal Lake their permanent residence in 1957, residing there until 2020.

She was an excellent, very organized homemaker, cook, baker and gardener. She loved to read, sew, knit, and crochet. She was proud of her Czech (Bohemian) heritage. Baking delicious Kolache at Christmas was an annual tradition, as well as preparing the most delicious meal of pork, sauerkraut, and dumplings.

Arline worked for many years at Barber Coleman OEM in Crystal Lake, retiring in 1994.  She then enjoyed some travel time with Don, as well as volunteer work with the McHenry County Senior Services, the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, and the Little Christopher Thrift Shop at St. Thomas the Apostle Church where they were long time parishioners.

She was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. In the later years, Arline was also a committed caregiver to Don. She was a very kind, supportive and sweet friend to many and will be greatly missed.

Arline is survived by her husband, Donald; brother, Roger Svoboda of Dubuque, IA; her children, Deborah (Stephan) Moen and Lori Phalin of Oswego, IL, Timothy Phalin of Crystal Lake and Michael (Andrea Phalin) of Harrisburg, IL; her grandchildren Ryan (Tara) Moen, Christa Phalin, Connor Phalin, Cooper Phalin and Kelsey (Justin) Wilson; her five great grandchildren (Ava, Aaron, Ayden, Ellie, and Oliver).

She was preceded in death by her parents; children, Thomas Phalin and Sandra Phalin; her grandson, Joel Moen; her brothers and their spouses Fred (Anne) Svoboda and Robert (Catherine) Svoboda and sister-in-law, Marilyn Svoboda; her mother and father-in-law, Thomas, and Ellen Phalin; her sister-in-law and brothers-in-law and their spouses, Patricia (Jim) McDaniel, Bill (Mary) Phalin, Jack (Marilyn) Phalin and Larry (Patty) Phalin.

A visitation will be on Sunday, March 28th, from 12 Noon until 4:00pm with prayers at 2:30pm, officiated by Rev. Hugh Fullmer, at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.  Mass will be Monday, March 29th, at 1:30pm , officiated by Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Knox, S.T.L., at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.  Burial will follow at Crystal Lake Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to:
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls
1140 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607