Arlene B. Cizek Schoon

Arlene Blanche Cizek Schoon, age 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in Holland, Michigan and now rests in the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ.

She was born in Chicago, Illinois to Marie (Mae) and George Cizek, and grew up in Stickney, Illinois graduating from J. Sterling Morton High School in 1957. Arlene grew up in a close-knit family who enjoyed celebrating holidays and other family traditions. She carried these inclusive, celebratory traditions into adulthood, relishing time spent with family and friends. She taught us hospitality, often saying that if you got one of us, you got us all.

Arlene, the first to attend college, continued her education at Hope College, graduating with Bachelors degrees in English and Psychology and her Master’s degree from Purdue University. While at Hope College she met her husband of 63 years, Dale Schoon, who had just returned from serving in the United States Marine Corp. During her Hope College years, Arlene enjoyed choir and other smaller singing groups, theater, and her sorority sisters.

Dale and Arlene were married at Trinity Reformed Church in Munster, Indiana in 1962 where they remained members until they moved out of the area. Arlene taught elementary school for 26 years, teaching and loving countless students always bringing her joyful spirit into the classroom. She had a teacher’s heart whether at school or at church. She loved her church community and served on endless boards and committees as well as taught Sunday School. She was ordained and installed as the first female elder at Trinity Reformed Church.

After her first grandson was born, Arlene joined Dale in retirement. They continued to travel the world with family and with their lifelong friends, their “Hope College Group”. Several years after retirement, Dale and Arlene left Northwest Indiana and returned to Holland in order to be closer to family and friends. They were avid Hope College sports fans, rarely missing a home game, always cheering for the Orange and Blue.

Arlene is survived by the love of her life and her devoted spouse Dale Schoon, her children David (Lisa) Schoon and Leslie (Marc) Monday, grandsons Van Monday and Beckett Monday; her brother Chuck (Deb) Cizek, sister-in-law Mary Kay (Jon Mark) Schoon; nephews and nieces Tyler (Ellen) Cizek, Juliana Cizek, J.R. (Jilanne) Schoon, Kathryn (Joel) Schoon-Tanis, and Gretchen (Phil Tanis) Schoon-Tanis; and nine great-grandnieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents George and Mae Cizek; her in-laws John A. Schoon, Vera Schoon, and Anne Schoon; her brother-in-law Jon Mark Schoon, and her niece-in-law Michele Sterk Schoon.

Arlene was deeply loved. We don’t yet know how much we will miss her.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 2 at 12:00pm at First Reformed Church (630 State Street) in Holland, with a two-hour visitation prior to the service starting at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Faith Hospice, First Reformed Church, or Hope College General Fund.