Bernard F. Lambert

Bernard F. Lambert, age 89, of Bradley, passed away September 20, 2016 at Miller Health Care Center in Kankakee. He was born November 5, 1926, in Manteno, the son of Arthur and Eva Boucher Lambert. He married Shirley J. Hasemeyer Smrcina September 23, 1995 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Kankakee. She preceded him in death July 18, 2011. Bernard worked for Paramount Textile and the Corn Mill Division of General Foods. Deciding farming was where he belonged, he joined his brother, Orell in 1955. He farmed for 61 years. He helped carry on a tradition in the Lambert Boucher family that started in Bourbonnais and Manteno in the middle 1800’s. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving with the 45th Infantry Division, Mechanized Calvary in Germany and Austria during World War II. Bernard was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and was involved in many parish events. He belonged to the Holy Name Society and Knights of Columbus. Surviving are two sisters, Madeline Roe and Margaret Bullock of Bradley; one brother, Orell Lambert of Bourbonnais; and two stepsons, Rick (Cheryl) Smrcina of Sarasota, FL and Brad (Barb) Smrcina of Benton, TN. To his many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews he was “Uncle Bernard” or “Uncle Bernie”. He knew the dates they were born, attended their weddings, and was part of their family gatherings. With his sharp mind and twinkling smile he shared the family genealogy. In addition to his wife Shirley, he is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and four sisters-in-law , Edmond (Rose), Robert (Rita), Leo (Oline), and Mary Martha Lambert; four brothers-in-law, Tom Roe, Sanky Latham, Neil Lockwood, and Ira Bullock; two nieces, Diane Latham and Patty O’Hearn; and one nephew David Lambert. Visitation will be held 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2016 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2016 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Kankakee. Rev. Charles Wheeler will officiate the mass. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais. Memorials may be made to the St. Rose Food Pantry or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Bernard F. Lambert

November 5, 1926 - September 20, 2016