Charlotte Tournear, 89, passed away on Monday, March 27, 2023 at Aperion Care in Princeton, IL.,
Charlotte was born at home in Steeleville, IL. to the late Charles August and Virginia Mae (McClure) Schwebel. Charlotte and her two younger sisters Dolores and Ruby grew up in the surrounding areas. She went to Carthage College to study opera, wherein she met the love of her life, Prosper. Prosper and Charlotte married September 10, 1955.
She was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, Star (a masonic order for women), and The First United Methodist Church. She worked for several years at a restaurant in Knoxville, IL.
Charlotte was a wife, mother, grandmother and musician. Her shining light was when Prosper signed her up for an art correspondence course. It changed the trajectory of her life. She eventually became a professional watercolor artist, with paintings all over the world. She considered her art a gift from God and a means of sharing God with others. The transparency of watercolors made her think of how God sees us.
She taught several art courses in Pittsfield, IL., and when she grew older, she stopped making the large paintings and began making birthday and sympathy cards for friends and family. For several years, she made and painted all of her and Prosper’s Christmas cards (around 70 per year) by hand. She refuses to accept any money for these cards (people wanted to buy them on consignment). Most people who received them, framed them and hung them on their walls.
Charlotte was faithful and undertook the role of a minister’s wife, be it directing choirs, having Sunday School in their living room or listening to Prosper when he needed a private ear. She managed this all while raising five children, one with a handicap, and a menagerie of animals. She was a very giving, kind, sweet and devout Christian who will be greatly missed.
Preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Virginia Schwebel, her husband, Reverend Prosper Tournear (7/11/2020), and a sister Ruby Holland.
She had and is survived by their five children, two grandchildren and one great grandchild and one sister; their four sons, John (Carolyn) Tournear of Decatur, IL., Prosper Allen Tournear of Dixon, IL., Charles Tournear of Princeton, IL., and Tom (Joyce) Tournear of Dover, IL.; daughter, Susannah Tournear of Princeton, IL.: two grandchildren, Sarah (Julius) Aigbe and Nathaniel (Quezia) Tournear; one great grandchild, Aurora Aigbe; one sister Dolores Blake Steeleville, IL.; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Princeton on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held following visitation at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at the First United Methodist Church of Princeton, Officiated by Pastor Ryan Sutton, accompanied by organist, Charlie GeBeck.
Cremation rites to be accorded and Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Green Mount Cemetery in Quincy, IL.
Memorials may be directed to:
UMCOR – a Methodist version of the Red Cross in helping others
Preachers’ Aid Society and Benefit Fund - Helping retired Pastors in need.
(These donation sites are accessible from any Methodist Church website).