Alberta "Bobbie" Scalise

Alberta “Bobbie” Joan Scalise, 87, of Loves Park completed her journey to Glory to live with Jesus and her beloved Vic for eternity on Friday, December 3, 2021.  Born September 5, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa, the only daughter of Carl S. and Lila L. (Geery) Freeman.  She lived most of her childhood on a three-acre farmette in Norwoodville, Iowa, which is now Des Moines proper.  Bobbie accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and even in her youth desired to be a pastor's wife.  Throughout her life she was gracious and kind to every person she met with one desire alone, to show Christ's love and that those she knew would come to Him.  Bobbie graduated from East High School in Des Moines in June of 1952 and was proud that her daughters each attended East High School in Rockford.  Bobbie met her beloved husband of 57 years, Victor R. Scalise in the cafeteria of Moody Bible Institute in September of 1952, and they were married on June 20, 1953, in Chicago.  Bobbie and Vic worked side by side, until his death October 6, 2010, serving in the pastorate at churches in Cary, Illinois, Madrid, Iowa, Flushing, Michigan, and four churches in Rockford.  In addition to pastoring churches, Bobbie and Vic held worship services first for River Bluff Nursing Home and then, beginning in September of 1996 they began their ministry at Independence Village Retirement Center and after Vic's death in October 2010, Bobbie continued this ministry with the help of local pastors who would speak each Sunday as Bobbie played the piano and led the singing.  She was celebrated by the staff of Independence Village for 20 years of service in September of 2016.  Her last service at Independence Village was November 14, 2021.  Bobbie also stood steadfastly by Vic's side as he performed duties as a chaplain for the Rockford Police and Fire departments for almost 20 years. Survivors include her daughters, Deb (Stan) Maligranda, Dawne (David) Scalise-Shultz and Darcey Trotter; 9 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 3 beloved grand-dogs who gave her comfort over the past 18 months, Zoey, Dozer, and Zadie; her neighbors who live on Peachtree Circle, all of whom she loved and respected; and her special friend, Jayme Turman.  Predeceased by her beloved husband, Vic; parents; brother, Charles Freeman; infant sister, Wanda Freeman; mother- and father-in-law, Victor and Caroline (Docimo) Scalise; sister-in-law, Joanna Scalise; and nephew, Todd Freeman

A service celebrating the life of Bobbie will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 20, 2021, at Grace Family Church, 3202 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Rockford, with visitation from noon to service time.  Pastor Keith Manley will officiate.  Private family burial in Argyle Scottish Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Moody Bible Institute, The Chaplain's division of the Rockford Police and Fire Departments or Grace Family Church.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park.