Daniel F. Balas Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Daniel Frank Balas, formerly of Mt. Prospect, IL, passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at his home, surrounded by loving family. Daniel was born January 28, 1934, in Chicago, IL, to Ignac James and Mary Kobilarcik Balas. He married Barbara Jean Nackel on September 10, 1955. Daniel was a member of St. Emily Catholic Church. He was also a Korean War Veteran. He was a graduate of Gage Park High School in Chicago, IL. Following military service, he attended the University of Illinois where he studied metallurgy. He worked for Martin Metals for several years and developed a metal alloy that was used in the space program. He later became the chief photographer of the Prospect Day newspaper, had his own photography studio, and worked as chief photographer for the local police station. He later became a dealer of antiques, collectibles, and military surplus. He cherished all the time spent visiting zoos, nature centers, museums, state parks and family camps with his wife, children and grandchildren, and enjoyed watching and feeding all the birds and squirrels that would come visit in the backyard. He loved going on long bike rides with his wife, completing his daily crossword puzzles, and maintaining his keen sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Barbara, six children James Balas, Donald (Crystal) Balas, Thomas (Kimberly) Balas, Laura VanDerStuyf, Michael (Maria) Balas and Kenneth Balas, twelve grandchildren Albert Posey, Amanda Clark, Timothy, Joseph, Eric, Anthony, Colette, Julia, Matthew and Zachary Balas, and Caeli and Paige VanDerStuyf, ten great grandchildren, and three sisters Theresa Dvorak, Emily Dvorak, and Dolores Flynn. He was preceded in death by eight siblings Andrew Balas, John Balas, Christina Balas, Anna Eminger, Mary Paskale, James (Mable) Svienty, Fred Svienty, and Marge Harpster, and one son Stephen Balas. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 9:30-10:30 AM at St. Emily Catholic Church at 1400 E. Central Road, Mt Prospect, IL 60056. The funeral Mass begins at 10:30 AM at St. Emily Catholic Church. Interment will be private at All Saints Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Daniel’s name to either St. Emily Catholic Church (https://www.stemily.org), or Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See in Manteno, IL, through their website (http://campshaw.org), or to a charity of your choice. For further information, please call the Matz Funeral Chapel at (847) 394-2336 or visit their website at www.matzmtprospectfuneralchapel.com.

Daniel F. Balas

January 28, 1934 - July 2, 2022