Thomas Grala, 85, of Chicago, IL passed away surrounded by the love of his family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irma (née Yzaguirre); his parents; his sister, Edna Dudra; his brother, Edward; and many cherished cousins and in-laws.  Thomas is survived by his three children: Kathy (Joe) Grzymski, Jay (Steve) Novak, and Mark (Eileen) Grala; He was “Papa” to his treasured grandchildren Jessica (Trevor) O’Donnell, Lindsay Grzymski (Zach Nicol) and Jackson Novak; great granddaughters, Ella and Raegen O’Donnell; He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom he adored.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 directly at St. Thomas More Catholic Church 8501 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN with a Mass of Christian Burial offered by Reverend Michael Yadron.  Interment will be private.  Visitation will be on Saturday, at the church from 11:30 a.m. until the 12:00 p.m. Mass.

Born and raised on the south side, he was a lifelong fan of the Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls and Notre Dame. He worked 35 years as a business manager at the Spiegel warehouse, where he was known for his dedication, leadership, and strong work ethic.  After retirement, Thomas found his greatest joy in spending time with his family, especially during holidays. He was the life of the party, known for his unique dance moves and charming wit. There was never a dull moment when he was around, and his presence made every celebration brighter.

Thomas will be remembered for his humor, kindness, big heart and the deep love he had for his family. His legacy lives on in the stories he told, the joy he brought, and the people who were lucky enough to know him.

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