Jerry Lynn Upchurch, 76, departed this world for the gates of heaven on Sept. 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born on December 13, 1949 in Harrisburg, IL to Kenneth and Mildred (Brewner) Upchurch, the youngest of their four children. After meeting and falling in love in college, he married Patricia E. Finley on December 11, 1971. Together they shared nearly 55 years of marriage and raised their 3 children in Geneseo, IL. After 22 years in Geneseo, they called Moline, IL home for another 20 years, and finally Chicago and Elmhurst, IL for the past few years.

Jerry graduated from Harrisburg High School, earned his BS from Eastern Illinois University and later his MBA from St. Ambrose University. He was employed his entire life in the Grocery business working in numerous capacities for Kroger, Super Value, and Thoms Proestler.

Jerry was an active member and past president of the Rock Island Kiwanis Club earning the Hickson Award in 2016, its most prestigious honor. He loved volunteering in Kiwanis through Coats for Kids, the Peoria Midwest Food Bank, Peanuts Days, and Terrific Kids programs.

Family was the most important thing in Jerry’s life. He coached his children’s sports teams, attended their school events, and rarely missed anything in which they were involved. In his later years he loved watching his grandkids in performances and sports, in person and from afar for his California grands.

A true sports fan, he faithfully followed his Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. He loved music of many genres, and was a longtime fan of the Eagles, James Taylor, and Kenny Chesney as well as keeping up with more current sounds. He especially loved traveling with Pat in his retirement years, spending time in the Caribbean, California, the Gulf Coast, and Florida. He also loved animals and always had a fur baby or two cuddled up beside him. In his later years he fostered dogs through local rescues. Jerry will forever be remembered for his infectious smile, his great sense of humor and his wonderful love of life. He was a big guy with the biggest heart.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Mildred Upchurch, his brothers, Don (Linda) and Bill Upchurch, beloved sister Barbara “Bunny” McDowell and brother-in-law Russell McDowell. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and their three children, daughter Julie (Ryan) Mastalerz, sons Jeff and Jay, and grandchildren Addison, Rowan, Marisa and Tyler; sister-in-law, Ellie Upchurch and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Jerry will be held on November 15, 2026, from 1-3pm at the Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island, IL. Friends and family are welcome to come by to celebrate him and share a memory. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Jerry’s honor to your local or favorite animal rescue. 

Information  Cappetta-DiCanio Directors 708 222-8669   or www.cappetta-dicanio.com