John William Lambert

John William Lambert, age 86, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away on Monday, October 31, 2016, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Clayton, Missouri with his family by his side.  He was born on October 22, 1930 in Sandoval, Illinois, the son of Edward and Hulda (Hunter) Lambert.  He married Alice J. Mifflin on December 21, 1957 in Centralia, Illinois and she survives him in Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, Mr. Lambert is survived by three daughters, Joni Durham and husband David of Centralia, Jodi Wolff and husband Randy of Centralia, Illinois and Jill Lambert of Centralia, Illinois, grandchildren, Craig Wolff and wife Dr. Elizabeth Wolff of Carlyle, Illinois and Chelsea Ward and husband Cameron of Centralia, Illinois, great-grandchildren, Zachary Wolff, Katrina Wolff and Easton Ward, step-grandchildren, Benjamin Durham, Allison Riggle and Angela Luce, step-great-granchildren, Mara Durham, Francesca Durham, Austin Luce and Addison Luce, brothers, Larry Lambert and wife Mary Ann of Peoria, Illinois and Ronnie Lambert and wife Melody of Vernon, Illinois, sister, Elsie Kelley and husband Jerry of Ramsey, Illinois, sister-in-law, Alberta George of Gilroy California, Judy Gramlick and husband James of Centralia, Illinois and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Lambert was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Hulda Lambert, stepfather Edgar Lambert, brother, Charles Lambert, brother-in-law, Charles Mifflin and wife Dixie and sister-in-law, Loretta Burnette.

Mr. Lambert was baptized and a member of Calumet Street Christian Church.  He attended services faithfully until his health started to fail him.  He continued to read the Bible daily and enjoyed watching religious programming.  He enjoyed the outdoors, which included fishing, camping and mushroom hunting.  He was a great St. Louis Cardinals fan and avidly watched them on television and attended games in person.  He was an avid reader and liked the writings of Lewis Grizzard and National Geographic.  He always had a great story to tell and was full of jokes.  Mr. Lambert never turned down good conversation and he did not know a stranger.  He was always willing to help anyone in need.  He liked traveling to the beach and mountains and was planning on visiting Florida with Alice to celebrate their upcoming 60^th anniversary.  He loved the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the highlights of his life. He truly loved his family and was also an animal lover, including his dogs, Bella and Bruno.

Mr. Lambert was owner and operator of John’s Barbershop in Centralia, Illinois for over thirty-five years.  He was also an union painter for fifteen years. He retired at the age of 69 after ten years of service at Kaskaskia College.  He lived in Centralia for most of his life and formerly lived in Ramsey, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at Calumet Street Christian Church with Mr. John Willis officiating.  Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois.  Friends may call from 11:30 a.m. until the time of services at 1:00 p.m. at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Lambert’s memory to the Calumet Street Christian Church or Centralia Humane Society and will be received at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois. Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Lambert’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on Facebook. 

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