DEATH OF MR. JOHN PACKER
Another of the very old tradesmen of the town passed away Friday last week, namely, Mr John Packer, jeweller, of Northbrook Street, who has carried on business for considerably more than half a century. Mr. Packer was seventy-five years of age.

The funeral took place on Wednesday. The first part of the service was read the parish church, where the deceased officiated as sideman.

The chief mourners were Miss May Packer and Miss Ethel Packer (daughters). Miss Jackson,and Mr Alderman Jackson (brother-in-law). There were also present the church-wardens, Messrs. W Money, F.S.A., Mr W. G. Adey, the sidesmen Messrs S. Knight, G. Boyer, W. Edwards and W. Edmonds.

A goodly number of parishioners attended the service, which was said rector, the Rev E, I. Gardiner. The choir were present, and sang the hymns "Rock of Ages, cleft for me." and "Now the labourer’s task is over." Mr Hubert Knight, organist Shaw, presided at the organ and as the procession filed out of the church for the cemetery played the Dead March from Saul.

H. S. Hanington conducted the funeral arrangements.

The late Mr. John Packer.
To the list of old and much esteemed townsmen who have recently passed away to be added the name of Mr. John Packer, who expired at his residence in Northbrook street on Saturday morning, in the 76th year of his age, having been born the year 1818. The deceased, who had carried on business as silversmith and watch and clock maker for more than half a century, was the representative of an old Newbury family.

On the formation of the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope (Freemasons) in 1850, Mr. Packer (deceased's father) became its first Worshipful Master. His son did not follow his father's example in joining the Masonic body, but nevertheless he manifested keen interest in other institutions in the town, and for many years had occupied the position of chairman of the Newbury and District Angling Association, and was consequently well known to great number of lovers of the gentle craft who from time to time visit the town to enjoy the sport afforded by the Kennet and Lambourn streams, and by whom the announcement of his death will be received with much regret.

He never entered the Corporation, although on one occasion he sought Municipal honours and suffered defeat. In politics he was a staunch Conservative, and was regular attendant at the services at the parish church, where for a lengthened period he had held office as a sidesman, his last appearance in this capacity being on Christmas-day.

Some time since he had severe illness, from which he had scarcely recovered when he was called upon to bear a heavy trial through the serious illness of Mrs. Packer, and this affliction told severely on a constitution already impaired, and relapse having set in during the first few days of the new year, he passed peacefully away in the presence of his two devoted daughters.

It is almost unnecessary to add that deep sympathy has been expressed with the members the bereaved family. A brother, the Rev. Charles Packer, who occasionally visited Newbury, died about three years ago.

Mr, John Packer led quiet, peaceful life, and was of a kind and cheerful disposition, which secured for him a wide circle of friends. The Rector, preaching at the parish church on Sunday evening, made feeling reference to the number of deaths which had recently occurred in the town, especially that of Mr. Packer, who had for a long while been a sidesman at tho church. After the offertory, Mr. Liddle, the organist, played the "Dead March" in Saul, during which the large congregation remained standing.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, the first portion of the burial service being conducted at the Parish Church, where the deceased had worshipped for so many years. The corpse was met at the western door by the Rector (Rev. E. I. Gardiner), the surpliced choir, the churchwardens (Mr. W. Money and Ald. Adey). and the sidesmen (Messrs. E. Gould, G. Boyer, W. Edwards and W. Edmonds). The opening sentences having been pronounced, the corpse was borne up the nave and deposited on a bier near the chancel steps, when the service was continued by the chanting of the 90th Psalm, followed by the singing of the hymn " Rock of ages, cleft for me.”

The lesson was then most impressively read the Rector, after which was sung the hymn " Now the labourer's task is o'er." Mr. Hubert Knight ably presided at the organ, from which proceeded the too familiar notes of the "Dead March" in Saul, during which the corpse was borne back to the car, followed by the mourners and friends, and the burial service was concluded the Cemetery.

The mourners included Miss May Packer, Miss Ethel Packer (daughters), Ald. Jackson, J.P., and Miss Jackson, Mrs. C. Jackson, Mr. W. Pearce, and Mr. A. Smith. Among those present were Councillor Hall, Messrs. W. J. Cowper, H. J. Godding, J. Adey, J Parker, G. J. Cosburn, J Benn, J. Kemp, F. H. Stillman, R. Ruoff, J. Stradling, A. Camp, Paget, Mr. and Mrs. Crisp, Mrs. E. Gould, Miss Wilson, Mrs. and Miss Burns, Miss M. Godding, Mrs. and Miss Draper, Mrs. Mallet, &c. The coffin was covered with floral wreaths and crosses. The funeral arrangements were well carried out by Mr. Hanington, undertaker, of Northbrook-street.

Miss Packer*, sister to Mr. J. Packer, died yesterday (Friday) morning.

MR. JOHN PACKER, so long well known in The Kennet and Lambourn as chairman of the Newbury and District Angling Association, expired on Saturday. The deceased gentleman, who was deservedly held in high esteem, attained the ago of 75, and his health had been been failing for some lime. Mrs. Packer, the widow, is in serious condition.