Ruth Packham

Ruth Marie Packham, 94, of Ottawa, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 24th, 2023 at LaSalle County Nursing Home, surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be Saturday, December 30, from 9:00am until 11:00am at St. Columba Church. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00am, with Msgr. Mark Merdian officiating. Private burial in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Ruth was born on February 7th ,1929, to Edward and Marie (Bahre) Schillings. She married Hubert Godwin in 1947, who passed away in 1973. She re-married Walter Packham in 1973, who passed away in 1994.

Ruth was a kind, caring and unimaginably generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Her family was small, but it meant the world to her. She loved to collect everything; from Ottawa memorabilia to golden books, Norman Rockwell figurines to Barbie's, she created numerous collections. She loved her bloody marys with Blondie at the American Legion.

She was an employee at LOF for many years, and after retirement worked for The Daily Times as a “stuffer", stuffing the ad fliers into the papers. She was well known in our community and everyone that knew her loved her. She was especially known for her pink lipstick, her infectious and boisterous laugh and her ever perfect hairdo that never changed. Heaven gained another angel, and she will be forever missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda (Robert) Pobanz; her son, Craig (Barb) Godwin; her granddaughter, Hollie (Angel) England-Ramos; her great-granddaughter. Dariyn Fergus; her bonus granddaughter, Brittany Carver; along with many loyal friends and extended family members.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers and sister in laws, Ed (Geraldine), Bill (Betty) and Paul (Faye) Schillings; as well as her best friend, Delores “Blondie” Rossiter.