Cyrus Wayne Upton, 72, Mendon, passed away Feb. 15, 2015, at Logansport Memorial Hospital, Logansport, Ind.

He was born Dec. 24, 1942, in Greenville, to the late Samuel and Celista Folkerth Upton.

Surviving are a brother, Douglas (Julie) Upton, Logansport, Ind.; nephews, Stephen (Christa) Upton, Hot Springs, S.D., and David (Jenny) Upton, Venice, Fla.; a niece, Tamara (Jared) Smith, Okinawa, Japan; great-nephews, Caleb and Nathan Upton; great-nieces, Kelsy, Alyssa and Sarah Upton; a godson, Ryan Louth, Mendon; and a goddaughter, Carmon Louth, Greenville, S.C.

He graduated in 1960 from Greenville High School and from Otterbein College in 1964. He was an English teacher and coach at Mendon-Union schools where he taught for 13 years. He also coached cross country and girls' softball. He loved teaching his students and directing class plays.

He was a sports writer for the Spencerville Journal News for 27 years. He loved following all the local sports teams and writing about them. He loved all sports especially the Cincinnati Reds. He could quote statistics on just about any team.

He also loved books, movies - especially the classics - musicals, science fiction and horror movies. He had a special place in his heart for animals, especially cats and dogs, and spent a big part of his life rescuing and caring for stray cats and dogs.

Services are 10 a.m. Thursday at Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home, 1000 N. Broadway St., Greenville, OH 45331, the Rev. Bill Koppert officiating. Burial will follow at Greenville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to the Animal Protection League of Mercer County, PO Box 663, Celina, OH 45822 or online at aplmercer.com; Open Arms Rescue, 1224 Jill Ave, Celina, OH 45822; or SART Rescue of St. Marys, PO Box 146, St. Marys, OH 45885.

Condolences may be left at www.oliverfloyd.com.