Charlene Schmerbauch died September 30, 2025 in Georgetown, Texas. Charlene was born May 17, 1934 in Dubuque, Iowa. Her family moved to Paducah, Kentucky where she graduated from Lone Oak HS. Charlene graduated from Murray State University and the University of Illinois. While at Murray State, she met the love of her life Robert (Bob) Schmerbauch and they married December 29, 1956. In September 2019, he preceded her in death after 63 years of marriage.

They began careers and raised their family in Pinckneyville, Fairfield, and Lindenhurst, Illinois. Char taught physical education and coached. Char loved playing and watching sports and playing the piano & organ and singing. She was a dedicated choir member at Fairfield UMC then pianist, organist and choir member at Lindenhurst UMC and at Montgomery UMC. After retirement, she became an avid reader and an accomplished genealogy researcher. Char and Bob loved traveling and learning. Their love of travel carried them across the country and beyond, including visits to all 50 states and multiple European countries. Bob and Charlene relocated to Montgomery, Texas and then Kingwood, Texas.  She is notable for dedicated volunteer service in all her communities. Recently, Charlene relocated to Georgetown, Texas.

She is known for her determination, wit and compassion.  Charlene always made time to care for others with love, laughter, sports, music, art, and volunteering.

She is survived by her daughters, Karen Buchler (Gary) of Georgetown, Texas and Laurie Herbert (Eric) of Burlington, Wisconsin. Their son Michael Schmerbauch was deceased in 1997 and is survived by his wife Betsy Kemp.  Charlene was a proud grandmother to her grandchildren and loved seeing photos and following their adventures in life. Surviving are granddaughters Kristi Buchler (Andrew Fuhr) of Los Angeles, California, Lauren Wilkinson (Cody) of Hamel, Illinois, grandsons Maxwell Herbert of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Corey Herbert of Green Bay, Wisconsin, great-grandsons Chace Michael Matheny of Hamel, Illinois, Theodore Robert Wilkinson, Hamel, Illinois, and Isaac Weston Fuhr, Los Angeles, California.

Graveside burial will be at Caledonia Cemetery, Sparta, Illinois on October 25, 2025.

If you are able and feel compelled to honor her memory, make a food or monetary gift to your local food pantry. Alternatively, a monetary donation in her honor can be made to the Montgomery United Methodist Church Food Pantry (mumctex.org), 22548 Hwy 105 W, Montgomery, Texas 77356.