Alvina M. Callahan

Alvina M. Callahan (nee Kobos) peacefully passed away on June 10, 2025 at home in the arms of her angel caregiver, Halina Serek. Born in Chicago on February 26, 1923, Alvina lived her entire life in the City of Chicago.

Truly a member of the Greatest Generation, she was a woman of strength and courage experiencing the joy and sorrow of loving and losing three husbands. Her God-given talents for design and style were evident in the window and in-store displays at Marshall Field & Co. where she was an award-winning member of the store’s Visual Display Department for three decades.

Alvina loved music and dance, which led to tap dancing in her early years at LaFollette Park in Chicago as well as line dancing in her 70’s and 80’s at a local church. She graduated from Austin High School in 1941 and had an insatiable appetite for learning. Her wide-ranging curiosity covered everything from opera to architecture, as well as travel to Egyptology.

More than anything, Alvina cherished her role as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother to her extensive family. A unique, kind and loving soul who will be eternally remembered and missed by all whose lives she touched.

Preceded in death by her parents John and Frances Kobos; husbands Victor E. Jendro, George F. Long, James T. Callahan; brother, Walter J. Kobos; sons, David P. Long, Dennis G. Long; daughters-in-law, Sharman Callahan, Christine Long, Marsha Long. Survived by her brother, Arthur C. Kobos; children, daughter Janice Long, sons Michael (Mary Alice) Long, Michael Callahan; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren.

A memorial visitation for Alvina will be held Friday, June 20, 2025 from 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016. A chapel prayer service will immediately follow beginning at 12:30pm.

In her memory, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.