Kerry Michael Gum

Kerry Michael Gum, 32, of Caseyville, Illinois, passed away on August 17, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born on July 1, 1994, in Normandy, Missouri. Although his time here was far too short, Kerry filled his 32 years with love, great friends, plenty of laughter, and more than a few stories that will be told around campfires for years to come.

Kerry attended Collinsville High School and, in 2015, earned a degree in HVAC from Vatterott College. He went on to work as an HVAC technician, taking pride in honest work and helping people when they needed it most. Dependable, hardworking, and generous with his time, Kerry approached each job with care and was rarely without a quick joke or an encouraging word.

Outside of work, Kerry loved camping beneath the stars, swimming in the Black River, cooking for the people he cared about, spending time with his dog, Kane, and tending to his impressively large banana trees. A devoted St. Louis Blues fan, Kerry wore his loyalty proudly and never missed a chance to yell, “Let’s Go Blues!”

Kerry was famously social and truly the life of the party. His arrival could brighten a room and make any gathering feel complete. With his quick wit, infectious laughter, and natural gift for making people feel welcome, he drew others together and transformed ordinary moments into unforgettable memories. His generous spirit and talent for cracking jokes at just the right moment will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his parents, Shelly Ludgate and Kevin Gum; his brothers, Britain (Liz) Gum and Chris Gum; his grandparents, William and Sharon (née Nieweglowski) Ludgate; many relatives, and countless friends who became family.

Visitation will be held at Lake View Funeral Home, 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, IL 62208, on August 26, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kerry's family. They are especially grateful to Ciara, Jared, and Ryan for their love, kindness, and support during this difficult time.