Bobby E. Dale

Bobby E. Dale, age 87, passed away with his loving family by his side in Homer Glen, IL on December 20, 2025. He was born to his father Harold Dale and mother Stella M. Dale (née Watkins) in Edgarton, West Virginia on July 23, 1938.

Bobby was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia. He grew up as the middle child in a family of seven children. He attended grade school in Delorme, West Virginia and high school in Matewan, West Virginia. Bobby always enjoyed a special relationship with life’s natural beauty. He always felt a strong connection to the land and living things. When he was a child, stray dogs would follow him home, almost as if they knew that Bobby would provide them with safety and comfort. He learned to fish at an early age, and never went long without a casting a line for the rest of his days. He also loved music. He enjoyed playing for his friends and family and seamlessly weaving his famous tall tales in amongst the lyrics of the classic songs that he held so dear. His love of nature led him to finding great pleasure in gardening. After a long and hard career as a steel worker, he leaned into his natural abilities to serve as a groundskeeper at the Joliet Country Club. Bobby will forever be remembered by those who knew him best as a man that walked his own path steered by family values, who was quick with a sharp-witted joke, and whose generosity was often appreciated by anyone who found themselves in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harold and Stella Dale; his wife Glenda F. Dale (née Bentley); his son Harold V. (the late Patricia) Dale; and his brothers Eugene (the late Carol) Dale, Charles Earl (the late Sada) Dale, and Albert Jack (June) Dale.

Bobby is survived by his children Deena (Leigh) Schelsky and Joyce (Brian) Deenihan; his grandson Jeremy (Brittney) Poorman; and his siblings Clifford (the late Evelyn Casey) Dale, James Walter (Anne) Dale, and Barbara (Freddie) Coleman. Many extended family members, friends, and other loved ones are also left to cherish his memory.

A Celebration of Life Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Tezak’s Home to Celebrate Life, 1211 Plainfield Rd., Joliet, IL 60435. All guests are invited to return to Tezak’s at 10:00 am on Monday, January 5, 2026 for continued visitation before travelling in procession to a Chapel Committal Service at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Chapel, 23060 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL at 12:15 pm.