Alberta "Bobbie" Joan Freeman Scalise

Alberta “Bobbie” Joan Freeman Scalise, 87, of Loves Park passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021 of COVID 19. She will live now forever with her beloved husband Vic and her savior Jesus Christ. Bobbie was born September 5, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa, the youngest child of Carl C. and Lila L. (Geery) Freeman. She lived most of her childhood on a three-acre farmette in Norwoodville, Iowa, which is now part of Des Moines. Bobbie accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and lived as a Servant of His every day for the rest of her life. 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 know Him. Bobbie graduated from East High School in Des Moines in June of 1952 and was proud that her daughters all graduated from East High School in Rockford. Bobbie met her beloved husband of 57 years, Victor R. Scalise Jr. 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 department for almost 20 years. As devoted as she was to Vic and their ministries, She was so much more than a pastor’s wife. She counseled many people in and out of their congregations. She planned and created decorations for many church events. She led back yard Bible school, regular summer Bible school, Sunday School classes, and children’s Church, all with her beloved flannel graphs. She led women’s groups and pioneer girls. She spoke at many teas and meetings. A music major at Moody, Bobbie played either piano or organ at Sunday service and for the choir for decades. She sang the special music in church hundreds of times and at dozens of weddings and funerals. Bobbie helped design the renovations to the sanctuary of Chapelwood Church. She renovated and redecorated every home that she lived in, and most of those of her 4 daughters as well. She loved gardening and traveling and caring for her family and friends. Survivors include her daughters, Deb (Stan) Maligranda, Deanne Nelson, Dawne (David Shultz) Scalise, and Darcey Trotter; Grandchildren Cara Davis, Caitlyn Brooks, Bethany Nelson, Heather Reid, Kyle Nelson, Erin Nelson, Drew Shultz, London Scalise Shultz, Andrew Trotter and Sydney Rae Trotter ; 6 great-grandchildren; her neighbors who live on Peachtree Circle; 6 nieces and nephews and many cousins, her Chaplewood and First Baptist families, special friends and advisors Jim Kennon and Terry Joiner, and the “daughter of her heart” Tara McClenthen. Predeceased by her beloved husband, Vic; her parents; brother, Charles Freeman; infant sister, Wanda Freeman; mother- and father-in-law, Victor and Caroline (Docimo) Scalise; sister-inlaw, Joanna Scalise; and nephew, Todd Freeman. Also beloved friends Dwight and Wilma Zueurcher and Larry and Wilma Wells

Alberta "Bobbie" Joan Freeman Scalise

September 5, 1934 - December 3, 2021