Charles Packard, age 88, Cambridge, died Friday, June 27, 1997 at Countryside Nursing Home, Jefferson.

Mr. Packard was born April 4, 1909 in Shirland, Illinois, the son of Max and Eva (Sladdin) Packard. He married Margarette Ewell on August 28, 1929 in Timberlake, South Dakota. She preceded him in death September 10, 1990. He owned a gas station in Cambridge during the 1930's, worked at Jamesway Manufacturing during World War II, started painting signs, and in 1944 he started as a full-time painting contractor. He was also an artist and enjoyed photography, especially sunrises and sunsets. He graduated from Cambridge High School in 1927. He was a charter member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cambridge. He enjoyed traveling to Hawaii and working outdoors, mowing lawns, making wood for winter heat and planting flowers in the spring and summer in memory of his wife, Margarette.

He is survived by a son, Robert (Gerry) Packard, Cambridge; a daughter Geri Wong of Honolulu, Hawaii; six grandchildren, Judy Packard of Reston, Virginia, Janet (Barry) Benson and Richard (Judy) Packard of Cambridge, Kerry (Jayelynn) Wong and Kyle Wong of Honolulu, Hawaii, Kurt (Marie) Wong of Fitchburg; six great-grandchild; and a sister, Vera Kenseth of Edgerton. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Violet Hutter.

If so desired, memorial may be given to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 2 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the Reverend John Johannes officiating. Burial was in Lake Ripley Cemetery. Friends called on Tuesday evening at the Nitardy Funeral Home, Cambridge.