Chester R. Switala, age 73, behloved husband of Sophie (nee Hendzel); loving father of Dr. Sylvia (Dr. John) Bartlett, Linda (Don Swanson), Barbara (Dan) Searson, and Edward (Stacey); fond grandfather of Carolyn and John Bartlett, David, Michael, Thomas and Patrick Switala; brother of Jeanette (Tom) Kleich; Brother-in-law of Casimer (Mary) Hendzel, Mary (the late Joseph) Baran, Joseph (Bonnie) Hendzel, and Emily (Walter) Wrona; cousin of Ewa (Rich) Szynal; and uncle of many nieces and nephews. Among many accomplishments, he held a US Patent for "Network Messenger", electronic mail software for IBM's IMS database system. Visitation, Wednesday, December 29, from 3-9 P.M. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton. Prayers will be said at Hultgren Funeral Home at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday, December 30 before a Funeral Mass is held at 10:00 A.M. at St. James the Apostle Church, 480 S. Park Blvd., in Glen Ellyn. Interment is private.