Benton- Mr. Gerald Birdsong, age 70 of Benton, passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 5:00 A.M. at Baptist Health Paducah with family by his side.

Mr. Birdsong was born on June 4, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois. He was a member of Family Church of Christ in Benton and was retired from the B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company in Calvert City. He was a member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers Local 154.

He is survived by his wife Ann Phillips Birdsong; mother Autumn Birdsong; brother Roger Birdsong of Gilbertsville; daughter Mitzi and her husband Edwin Donohoo of Benton; and son Terry and his wife Melissa (Smith) of Murray; three grandchildren: Sawyer Donohoo and his wife Stephanie (Fields), Shelby Donohoo, and Hastings Birdsong.

He is preceded in death by his father William Mason Birdsong and brother Donald Wayne Birdsong.

Gerald loved his family and loved spending time on family vacations and trips. He was an avid sports fan, especially when his kids or grandkids were playing or coaching. He was well known for his willingness to help others and share his many talents and abilities. If it needed fixing, he could fix it. He loved fishing Kentucky Lake and fishing trips to Okeechobee, Florida. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Funeral services will be arranged by the Collier Funeral Home, 211 West 5th St., Benton, KY 42025. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 6, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Collier Funeral Home, and graveside services will be held Sunday, December 7, at 2:00 P.M at Smith Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or New Pathways for Children, PO Box 10, Melber, KY 42069.