Gary Wallace Packer (69) of Effingham, formerly of Chinook, Montana and Pocatello, Idaho

Gary Wallace Packer, 69, of Effingham, formerly of Chinook, Montana and Pocatello, Idaho, passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2016, at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2016 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Effingham. Interment will be in the Veterans Memorial Garden of Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Johnson Funeral Home, 1110 N. 4th Street, Effingham.

Memorials may be made in memory of Gary to Wounded Warrior Project or charity of choice.

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Gary was born on January 15, 1946, in Chinook, Montana, the son of Newell and Eleanor (Foxall) Packer. He married Amy Kribbs on November 18, 2000 and she survives. Gary was a graduate of Highland High School in Pocatello, ID and Lakeland College in Mattoon, IL. Gary valued education. He seemed to always be learning about how something operated or was constructed and would often enjoy reading about history or politics. He served five years in the United States Air Force and was stationed at Yokota Japan Air Force Base during the Vietnam Conflict. He was a member of a few organizations, he thoroughly enjoyed his 13 year faithful attendance to the arthritic aquatics class, lap swimming, and "hot-tubbing" at Drave's in Effingham where he made many cherished friends and enjoyed the regular uplifting socialization. Gary retired from work in Industrial Maintenance. Prior to that, he gathered fond memories of those he came in contact with through his many years in the fertilizer industry and serving as manager of Dieterich Farm Center.

He was a loving father and husband. He enjoyed fly fishing, camping, playing cards and mostly being with family, having a good laugh, and faithfully attending sporting events of his children and grandchildren. Though it was great fun for the grandchildren to proclaim so, he really didn't cheat! – Though a good game of "Go Fish", "Five Crowns", or "Rook" brought him great joy. Family meant the world to Gary and in his morning and evening prayers he would pray specifically and individually for each of his children, their spouse, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, siblings and spouse, and anyone with specific needs. He was a devoted and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served in many capacities and loved his church assignments.

Gary is survived by his wife of 15 years, Amy Packer of Effingham; sons, Trent (Stephanie) Packer of Neoga, Brian (Christa) Packer of Mattoon, Kirk (Niki) Packer of Sesser; daughter, Jenny (Brian) Jarrett of Parachute, CO; brothers, Milo (Lois) Packer of Hagerman, ID, David (Pat) Packer of Pocatello, ID; sisters, Bonnie (Lynn) Stowell of Bellevue, WA, Janice (Robert) Hunsaker of Murray, UT; sister-in-law, Nola Packer of Clinton, UT; brother-in-law, Taft Miller of McCammon, ID; 20 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and former spouse, Linda Shoemaker Packer of Effingham.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, LaMar Packer; and four sisters, LaRene Packer, Lelha Packer, Marlene Pett, and Carol Miller.