Cecil N. Upchurch, 91, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 18, 2014, about 5:10p.m. after battling with heart conditions.
Mr. Upchurch was born on March 1, 1923, in Pall Mall, Tennessee, to Walter T. and Bethel (Delk) Upchurch. He attended school in Muncie and went on to serve in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during WWII from January 1943 to January 1946.
After serving his country, he returned home and married Claris A. Hull, from Jamestown, Tennessee, on November 23, 1946.
Mr. Upchurch worked at Owens Illinois for 26 years and then BorgWarner for about 12 years, where he retired as a plumber pipe fitter in 1985. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge out of Eaton, Indiana. Mr. Upchurch also enjoyed spending time with his family, talking with friends, caring for his vehicles and taking trips back to Tennessee.
Surviving with his wife of 67 years, are his son and daughter-in-law, David Scott'' and Carla S. (Cooper) Upchurch, Kokomo, Indiana; his granddaughter, Krista L. (Scott) Rexroth, Indianapolis, Indiana, and grandson, Brian S. (Jennifer) Upchurch, Dayton, Ohio. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Ethan David and Ella Elisabeth Rexroth, Cameron Steven, Andrew Scott and Austin Brian Upchurch; one sister, Lela Reeder, Nashville, Tennessee, two sister-in-laws, Faye Hull and Helen Hull, Jamestown, Tennessee, one aunt, Gladys Walker, Jamestown, Tennessee, and many special nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three infant siblings, a brother, Casto Upchurch, three sisters, Nona Horstman, Dorine Crabtree and Lucille Porter, two brother-in-laws, Otis and Herbert Hull, and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Elma and Benny Delk. Mr. Upchurch was also preceded in death by some very dear friends, nephews, and nieces.
A viewing for Cecil N. Upchurch will be held on Monday, September 22, 2014, at Garden View Funeral Home, Muncie, Indiana, from 11am to 1pm. The funeral will immediately follow and conclude with a gravesite burial in Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Upchurch''s honor should be sent to the American Heart Association.
On behalf of Mr. Upchurch, his family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Gregory Gahl and his staff at American Health Network, St. Francis Health''s Home Health Care visiting nurses BJ Smith and Dara Rose, as well as, close family friends Myrtle Abbott and Brian and Pam Johnson.