Arlene Alfreda Castillo passed away Thursday, June 1 at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital following a brief illness.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Henry Castillo, sons Daniel Castillo (Dianne) and John Castillo (Shelley), beloved grandchildren, Claire (Muffin) Castillo, Lauren (Lodi) Castillo and Isabel Hillestad, her brother Harold Grobarek (Clare) and many nieces and nephews.
Arlene Grobarek was born in Chicago on April 8, 1933, to Joseph Frederick Grobarek and Pelagia “Bessie” Grobarek (Krupa). She attended St. Aloysius grade school and Josephinum High School in Chicago
A mutual friend introduced her to Henry Castillo, they fell in love, and were married on August 3, 1963.
After working in the Dean’s office of The Art Institute of Chicago, the couple moved to Springfield, Illinois for five years before settling in Champaign, Illinois with their two young sons. Arlene worked in property management, rising to a Regional Manager for Oxford Development, where she oversaw operations for multiple properties in several states. She was known for her attention to detail, dedication, and work ethic. After 15 years in Champaign, the couple relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1986.
Family and friends dearly loved Arlene, and everyone who met her was influenced by her calm and loving personality. She was a woman of unbreakable faith, and her life was centered around the Catholic church. Whether at St. Hedwig in Chicago, St. Matthew in Champaign, or St. Monica in Indianapolis, she contributed her time and prayer as a volunteer, eucharistic minister and member of the bereavement committee. She lived her faith every day, and her legacy will live on in the many lives she enriched over the years.
She had a soft spot for animals and received great joy from numerous pets over the years from cats Inky and Skittles and her dogs Gizmo and Spud.
Arlene’s greatest love was her husband Henry, who she loved, supported, cared for, and nurtured for 60 years. They shared everything, and until her final day spent every morning in deep conversation over coffee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Joseph (Lorrayne) Grobarek, Louise (Tom) Lambert and Richard (Ruthie) Grobarek.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 6, from 4 pm to 8 pm at Flanner Buchanan – Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220. Additional Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 7, from 9 am to 10 am, with a Funeral Mass at 10 am, both at St. Monica Catholic Church, 6131 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46228.
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
9:00 - 10:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Monica Catholic Church
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
10:00 - 10:00 am (Eastern time)
St. Monica Catholic Church
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