George Alex Michalko

George Alex Michalko (69) died at his home on February 24th from a medical event following open heart surgery earlier in the month. He is preceded in death by his wife Leslee (Bang) Michalko, sister, Virginia Ruth (Michalko) Albrecht and, his parents Sylvester and Ruth (Grupe) Michalko.

George was born in Elgin, IL on December 26, 1956 and upon graduation in 1975 from Maine South HS in Park Ridge, IL, served three years in the Navy where he served on the USS Savannah. He remained in IL until he and his wife moved to Chandler, AZ where they spent 30+ years.

After working 20 years at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, he retired to care for his ailing wife. After her passing in early 2021, George moved to Springville, TN until this past August when he returned to the dry desert climate he loved.

George is survived by his brothers Ben Michalko (Paula) of Shelby, MI and Michael Michalko of Goldsboro, NC and his sister Sylvia (Gerald “Jerry”) Abshire of Springville, TN, and step-son Brett Williams (Carmen) of Mesa, AZ and two step-granddaughters. George had many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews and a few great-great nephews that all adored his young kindred spirit.

George’s ashes will be interred in the Town of Maine Cemetery in Park Ridge, IL next to his parents at a future date.