Gerald (Jerry) Keith Upchurch

GERALD (JERRY) KEITH UPCHURCH, 80, passed away Sunday morning, July 17, 2022.

He was born on October 31, 1941 at Moore’s Hospital in Benton, IL, the son of Eugene & Wilma (Kern) Upchurch.

Jerry grew up in the Palestine community in rural Benton, IL area (now part of Rend Lake) and attended Palestine one room grade school where his dad was the teacher. After High School he received his BS in Accounting at SIU and later relocated to Metropolis, IL as Administrator of the Massac County Dept. of Public Aid. Beginning in 1988 Jerry volunteered for five years as E-911 Director, along with the help of his late wife Rosie, and implemented the 911 system for Massac County in memory of their son, Carey Upchurch, who was killed in an accident on Oct. 25, 1988. He retired from Public Aid in 1991 and continued working as 911 Director, Jail Administrator and Deputy Sheriff until 2001. He married Kaye Cagle in 1999 and they enjoyed many retirement winters in south Texas and Alabama. 

He is survived by his Spouse, Marilyn Kaye Upchurch; Daughters-Connie Busby; Becky Ransdell (Johnny); Sons-Bret Cagle (Jenean); Bart Cagle (Marsha); Grandsons-Logan Busby and John Ross Ransdell and four Granddaughters Ashley Tirey; Bretaney Noe (Aaron); Karissa Clark; Stephanie Cagle Johnston and a very special Sister Diana House (Ron). Also five Greatgrandchildren and many special friends made during our travels.

Mr. Upchurch was preceded in death by his Parents, 1st Wife-Rosie Upchurch, Son-Carey Ross Upchurch and Siblings-Dr. Donald Upchurch and David Upchurch.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, July 23rd at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Minister Larry House officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11:00 A.M. on Saturday at the funeral home.

For those who wish, Memorials may be made to College of Ozarks P. O. Box 17 Point Lookout, MO 65726.

For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald (Jerry) Keith Upchurch, please visit our floral store.