Gerald "Jerry" Francis Chalko, Sr.

Gerald Francis Chalko Sr, age 88, suddenly passed away on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026.  Jerry was born on February 20th, 1938 to Alex & Elizabeth Chalko. Jerry was a loving son, brother, husband, father, godfather, grandfather, uncle, and friend.

Jerry graduated from Clark Highschool in Whiting Indiana, Class of 1956, and attended Indiana University in Bloomington studying accounting.  He was proud to serve in the Army 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning) from 1961 to 1963 stationed at Schofield Barracks on Oahu.  Jerry married the love of his life, Joanne in 1965 and settled In Highland Indiana.  He worked for IBM for 36 years (8 as an IBM contractor) in Calumet City, IL; Kalamazoo, MI; and Oakbrook, IL in many positions including Senior Administrative Account Specialist managing part logistics for IBM’s large scale business machines. 

He is survived by his children, Gerald (Lisa) Chalko and Christine (Mike) Helm; grandchildren, Jake & Abby Helm, and Colton & Lila Chalko; twin sister Gerldine (late Joseph) Heintz, sisters-in-law Judy (late Ken) Darrow, Cindy (late Jerry) Kula, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his loving wife Joanne (Burkat) Chalko, who passed away in 2011; parents Alex & Elizabeth (Stanchik) Chalko, brothers Alex (Jean) Chalko and Ed (Mary) Chalko, sister Rosalyn (Al) Swiercz, Father-in-law & Mother-in-law Eugene & Catherine (Dybel) Burkat: and brother-in-law Eugene (Wanda) Burkat.

Jerry & Joanne loved caring for their grandchildren, grand pet (Harley), as well as Grandma & Grandpa Burkat, who he loved as his own.  They loved selling center-piece & wreath decorations at craft shows for many years.  Jerry was an avid & lifelong Cubs & IU sports fan.  He very much enjoyed seeing both his teams go all the way – Finally!  Jerry loved watching his grandchildren grow, was very proud of their achievements, and would attend their activities as much as possible.  Jerry was the most positive person you would ever meet and always had a smile on his face.  He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Church, a regular at Wicker Park Luncheons, enjoyed exercising at Planet Fitness, and loved going to the casinos.  But really just enjoyed meeting people and making friends wherever he went.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jerry's name may be made to Damar North (formerly the St. Joseph Carmelite Home in East Chicago, Indiana) at https://www.damar.org/how-you-can-help/donate/ or the Humane Society of Indiana at https://www.humaneindiana.org/donate

Visitation will be held from 3:00pm - 7:00pm, Monday, April 6 at Hillside Funeral Home, 8941 Kleinman Road, Highland, Indiana  46322.  Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, April 7 at 10:30am at Our Lady of Grace Church, 3025 Highway Ave, Highland, IN 46322, with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery at 801 Michigan City Rd, Calumet City, IL 60409.

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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