Medford Upchurch

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Medford Robert Upchurch, 83, of Marble Hill died Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at Elder Care of Marble Hill.

He was born Nov. 7, 1920, at Scopus, Mo., son of Ralph Edgar and Rada Ellen Thomason Upchurch. He and Betty Loraine Cook were married Dec. 29, 1946, at Gravel Hill.

Upchurch had worked at Rhodes Sawmill. He was a member of County Line Baptist Church and a deacon many years, and an honorary member of Woodland FFA Chapter.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded three Bronze Stars.

Survivors include his wife; five sons, Edgar Upchurch of Jackson, Robert and Sam Upchurch of Marble Hill, Jim Upchurch of Greenville, Mo., the Rev. Dan Upchurch of Mogileu, Belarus, Russia; two daughters, Janet Jones and Doris Murray of Marble Hill; a brother, Milford Upchurch of Marble Hill; two sisters, Marjorie Grindstaff of Macomb, Ill., Kathleen Yount of St. Louis; 19 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Bill Rhodes and Fred Ritter officiating. Burial will be in Lessley Ridge Cemetery.