Michael Maskala, age 59, passed away surrounded by his loving and supporting family. Mike was the loving husband of Julie Maskala (nee Taglia), devoted son of the late Barbara Ann Melka, dear son-in-law to the late Richard and the late Carole Taglia, caring grandson of the late George and the late Bessie Melka, cherished brother-in-law to Lori (Bryan) Moore, fond uncle of Parker Moore, nephew of Carol (Dale) Beyer and the late Merilyn (late Richard) (late Leo Rokicki) Tscherney, cousin to Tammie (Tom), Gayle (James), Tom (Pam), Jennifer, and Julie (Mark), fur Dad of Bailey and Martini, dear friend to many, cousin to many more, and missed by all.

Mike was born in Santa Barbara on September 11, 1966. As a young boy Mike started drawing, and being creative. He recently told me how he startef to learn how to surf with his dear mother Barbara helping him. Of course Mike being Mike he mastered that and enjoyed many years of surfing in Southern California. In his teen years is when he started to learn how to snowboard, even making his very own snow boards, that proudly hang in our home. He also enjoyed ROTC, always said it was one of his favorite experiences. After high school he attended University of California Santa Barbara for a few years studying Architecture, then changed gears, moved to Denver Colorado, and went to the Art Institute of Colorado to earn his degree in graphic design, graduating at the very top of his class, of course, always pushing and succeeding at his art. Shortly after he moved to Illinois to be close to family, and start his job search. He didn't end up with a job exactly as he had hoped. He worked at a sign company in Chicago, responsible for banners throughout the city, including one of the Bulls Championship Rally. He enjoyed doing this job, but wanted more, and in July of 1996, 30 years ago, he started his own sign company M&M Custom Images. He ran his business as soul owner throughout all these years as a one man show, and later with support from his wife, and it continues today. He truly enjoyed the aspects of his job and his craft, and as usual put in his all to be successful as a small business owner. 

During this time is when Mike met his first brother from another mother, Jim Geminn. Their love of cars brought them together and they quickly became best of friends. Mike was Jim's best man in his wedding and in February of 2021 was honored to become the Godfather of Jim and Lisa's daughter Ashley.

A friendship that turned into family forever.

In 1996 on a trip to Jamaica to celebrate his 30th birthday, is when Mike met two more of his best friends that have been a constant in his life Ken and Clair Smith. From vacations, concerts, parties, celebrations, holidays and on and on, Ken and Clair have been two of the most important people in Mike's adult life, and he loved them both beyond words.

After a few phone conversations, Mike got set up on a blind date with one of Jim's friends from work, Julie. It was double date with Jim and Lisa, dinner in Lagrange and then to play some pool on December 1st, 2001. There was an instant connection and attraction and they even saw each other the next day, and the next week, and the next, and the rest is history. On Julie's birthday April 30th, 2003, Mike proposed to Julie and on May 7th, 2004, they were married in a beautiful ceremony, surrounded by family and friends at the JW Marriott in Las Vegas. 

They began their life in Mike's home in Chicago for the next 6 years, until they outgrew it and the search began. They found a home in Joliet, ironically close to family and friends already living out there. It was a foreclosure, fixer upper, the perfect project for Mike to create a oasis of his own. From January 2010 thru July 2011, the house was gutted and redone, custom with Mike's vision. If you've been to the house you know that there is a part of Mike's creation in just about every corner. He built a beautiful home and deck for Julie and himself to live the next chapter of their lives. Warm, welcoming, and peaceful. He loved being at home, especially with their kitties, Bailey and Martini, and he often would say "I just love our home, it's so comfortable"

During this time is when Mike met another brother from another mother, Bernard Thompson, a fierce friend that quickly turned into family, and inherited a whole Thompson family. Children who are now adults and with their own children, he is their Uncle Mike. 

He'd do anything for all of them and vice versa. So many celebrations, vacations and also tears and support through the years, this family was hand picked by God to be in his life until the end. 

In November 2010, Mike became an "official" Uncle to Julie's sister Lori, and brother in-law Bryan's son Parker. He was there with Julie minutes after he was born, and was so happy and proud to have a nephew. They have had a very special relationship through the years, with so many similarities, you'd think they were blood related. He loved Parker through all the stages of his life and has especially enjoyed the teenage times of Parkers visits to Chicago. Mike loved him more than anyone could imagine and would literally do anything for that kid.

Mike had fierce love for all those in his life. A pure, genuine, compassionate and empathetic heart of gold. A loyal and honest man, who loved life to the fullest, but still loved his life to be simple, without any drama. 

Forever creating, designing, and planning his next project, especially his extreme love of wood carving, and harvesting.  His ability to see things in pieces of wood was something no one else could see or understand,  but his creative, never  quiet mind could envision things beyond our sights. 

He continued to snowboard through the years, of course Copper Mountain Colorado being his favorite, but also got to experience Aspen and Lake Tahoe just this past January.  His bucket list was Switzerland and it was in our plan within the next few years. He began getting season passes to Wilmot mountain in WI where he started changing his boarding style. Studying, and practicing carving and different jumps, tricks etc. Coming home so many nights, excited as a kid when he would master something he practiced and practiced. He truly loved this sport and would always say he would snowboard as long as his body would allow it to. In the summer the past few years he started jet skiing again with his life long cousin, friend, Tom and his son's Tim and Matt. It was something he did years ago,  and loved reviving that experience more recently really brought him happiness and to be with family made it all the much better.

Mike truly,and fully enjoyed life and his life.  He never quit, he pushed himself to  always learn new things, analyzing and problem solving through any issue.

Even during his short and courageous battle the past two months he was so positive and set his mind to fight as hard as possible. And in all things he always succeeded, but sadly this situation, there was nothing he could do, it was completely out of his control, though trying everything possible until the very, very end. A fighter.

Julie was at his side through all the years, 25 years together, 22 years married, a marriage of love, friendship, joy, heartbreak, wonderful times, hard times, silliness, experiences, respect and honesty. The loves of each other's lives. 

Losing Mike has left a heartache for Julie that can never be replaced, and even though he always called her his rock, the rock is crumbling right now. And is for so many people whose life Mike touched.  He was one of a kind,  never one to change to fit in, not caring about what anyone thought about him, it was his life, his life to live the way that made him happy, content,  and whole. While making those in his life feel loved and appreciated as well the best way he could. 

He will forever be remembered for his genuine being, his willingness to help others, his beautiful smile,  his huge loving heart.  He will never be forgotten and will be in all of our hearts forever.  Rest in peace sweet Michael. Until we meet again.....

Mike's visitation will take place on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m., located at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium, 530 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440. A chapel service will begin at 6:30 p.m. that evening. Private interment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium.