Alberto S. Vitale

Alberto S. Vitale, 89, of South Bend passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at his home after a 3 year battle with pancreatic cancer, complicated by a stroke and 3 brain surgeries last spring.

Alberto was born in South Bend on December 30, 1936, to the late Carmelo and Carmela (Barbaro) Vitale.

Alberto graduated from South Bend Riley High School in 1955.

Alberto attended IUSB, IU Bloomington, Notre Dame and Bethel College and obtained a BA in English in 1965, from Bethel College and obtained a Masters Degree in Education at Ball State University. He was a talented and passionate English Teacher, spending 47 years in education both for Penn High School, where he taught English for 32 years and later at Indiana University South Bend, where he taught English composition for 15 years. Even in retirement, he was still a teacher. He would learn about new and interesting subjects and teach friends, family and acquaintances what he had learned.

Alberto served in the Army from 1960 to 1962 and was deployed to Korea where he served as a medic and sharp shooter for the 2nd battle group of the Revolutionary Guard along the Demilitarized Zone for 1 year and 2 months. He was proud of his service.

On November 20, 1965, he married the love of his life, Nancy Ellen Davis, spending 60 years together building a family with very strong bonds. Their introduction was through

Alberto’s sister Rita, who worked with Nancy as an ICU nurse at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. Nancy has stated over and over that Al is the best man she’s ever known.

Together they built a loving home, welcoming family and friends for dinners, cookouts, 4th of July celebrations, Thanksgiving meals and Christmas celebrations in a fun and nurturing environment.

Alberto had a love of photography and won several awards for his pictures, took pictures for several weddings and was the family photographer.

Alberto had a love of baseball. He enjoyed watching baseball, talking baseball and attending baseball games. He especially enjoyed talking about and watching the Yankees and Cubs. It was a great escape and distraction and he especially enjoyed discussing baseball with people who also had a love of the game.

Alberto is survived by his wife, Nancy, his children; Rebecca (Darren) Macht, Lara (Kevin Brisson) Vitale, and Peter Vitale, and one granddaughter; Carmela DeMorrow.Alberto was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Rita Rose Jankowski, Laura Carpenter, Ernesto Vitale, and Santo Joseph Vitale.

A special thanks to IU Health, Michiana Hematology Oncology, Unity Hospital, the Stroke unit of Memorial Hospital of South Bend, Senior One, Senior1Care and Caring Cove Hospice for all their hard work and treatment over the last 3 years and especially to Wilma, who was Al’s favorite caregiver.

Visitation for Alberto will be held from 4pm-7pm on Thursday July 16, 2026, at the Palmer Funeral Home- Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend. A mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11am on Friday, July 17th at St. Matthew Cathedral. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, 61300 U.S. 31 South, South Bend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ball State University the Teachers College Fund https://connect.bsu.edu/give

Online condolences may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

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