Michael Anthony Chabala, 75, of La Grange, IL passed away in the early morning of January 27, 2024. He was born to Leonard and Elaine Chabala in Ann Arbor, MI on November 25, 1948. The family moved to Illinois in 1958.

After graduating from Fenwick High School in 1967, he then went on to study at University of Illinois at Chicago Circle before enlisting in the US Air Force in 1970.

While serving in the Air Force he reached the rank of Staff Sergeant, working as a technician on weather radar and weather balloon tracking equipment, where he met his wife, Pamela.

After serving he returned to study electronics at Triton College, earning an Associate’s degree, and soon started working for IMLAC, as a field engineer for their graphical display terminals.

Michael had a long career as a technician in the pre-press industry, working first for Scitex, an Israeli company that led the industry in innovative equipment, and later for MKL Pre-Press, a family business in Schaumburg, IL which serviced pre-press equipment produced by Scitex and other firms.

An enthusiast of interlocking puzzles, he collected them for many years, and eventually joined the International Puzzle Party, an invitation-only club for exchanging puzzles produced by members at yearly events.

Like many of his siblings, he was also very interested in fine knives, and finely crafted metal or glass artworks, along with all manner of mechanical timekeeping devices.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Elaine Marchese Chabala, and his father, Leonard V. Chabala.

Michael is survived by his wife of 40 years, Pamela Chabala; his son, Greg Chabala; by his brothers, James (the late Marlene) Chabala, Paul Chabala, Jan (Mary) Chabala, David Chabala, and his sister Nancy Chabala.

A visitation will be held from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, February 3rd at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside, where words of remembrance will be shared during that time. Interment private.

For Service Info: 708-352-6500