Charleen Lambert

Charleen Ann (Johnston) Lambert

Age 91, of Morris, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 11, 2026, with her family by her side.

Born on August 16, 1935, Charleen Ann was a daughter of Charles and Ambre (Momsen) Johnston. She was raised and educated in Wilmington, Illinois, where she graduated from Wilmington High School with the Class of 1953. Following high school, she attended Wesleyan University, where she majored in Art.

Throughout her life, Char embraced many different roles, but she especially enjoyed working as a graphic designer, creating shirt designs, and providing professional lettering for local businesses. She and her husband, Joe, lived in Shorewood, Illinois, before eventually retiring to Mercer, Wisconsin, where they made their home on beloved Martha Lake.

Char had first vacationed on Big Martha Lake as a teenager and developed a deep love and lasting connection to the area. Over the years, she welcomed many friends and family members to their little cabin in the woods. Some of her favorite times were spent boating with her husband and loved ones, often accompanied by a box of wine and good conversation.

She was truly an artist in every sense of the word. Char was the embodiment of an artist, expressing her creativity and love of beauty through many forms and mediums, including pen and ink, pencil, stained glass, and watercolor. She had a genuine love for artistic expression and found great joy in bringing her ideas to life, creating beautiful works that reflected her unique spirit and imagination.

Char’s artwork will remain a lasting and cherished part of her legacy. Through the beauty she created, a piece of Char will live on in the hearts and homes of the family and friends who loved her. Her art will continue to bring joy and serve as a beautiful reminder of the creative, loving spirit she shared with so many.

She is survived by her brother, Jim (Sue) Johnston; two children, Troy (Sheri) Tomsheck and Tracy (Tom Van Horne) Tomsheck; three stepchildren, Joe (Toni) Lambert, Gary (Ann) Lambert, and Jeanie Tonkinson; daughter-in-law, Jackie Lambert; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Per her wishes, cremation rites are being accorded.

A celebration of Char’s life is being planned for a later date.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Char's memory to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431. 

Family and friends are encouraged to visit www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs, and share Char’s memorial page with others through social media.

Cremation services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815-476-2181)