Merrill Richard Upchurch, 76, a resident of Dahlgren, IL passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Hamilton Memorial Hospital Emergency Room, McLeansboro, IL.
Merrill was born April 8, 1949 in Mt. Vernon, IL. He was a son of Charles Upchurch and Nada (McNair) Upchurch. Merrill married Linda Lou Gray on February 14, 1981 in Dahlgren, IL. and she survives.
Merrill was a self-employed farmer and a member of the Victory Christian Church in Mt. Vernon, IL. He loved reading, playing the piano and guitar but most of all he loved playing with his grandchildren.
Merrill is survived by his wife Linda, a son Dale Vaughn and wife Brittney, Mt. Vernon, IL, his daughters Casandra Upchurch, Dahlgren and Rachel Payne and husband Rob, Dahlgren also his son Dale Vaughn and wife Brittney, Mt. Vernon, IL. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Caleb Vaughn, Caden Vaughn and wife Shayln, Nathanial Ziehm, Meghan Ziehm and fiancée Brandon Lockeby, Evan Payne and Daniel Payne. Merrill is also survived by sisters Judy Cermak and Karen Tucker, Brother-in-law Jerry Snider along with several nephews and nieces.
Merrill is preceded in death by his parents, Brothers-in-law Ray Cermak and Gary Tucker, a sister Linda Snider and nephew Dakota Tucker.
Memorials may be made to Dakota Tucker Memorial Scholarship at SIU School of Pharmacy.
Visitation for Merrill Upchurch will be Sunday, March 8, 2026 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Harre Funeral Home, McLeansboro, IL. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pastors Scott and Tammy Meyer officiating. Burial will follow the service at I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Dahlgren, IL.
Harre Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
