John W. Bird

John William Bird, age 78, of Monmouth and formerly of Little York, Illinois; passed away at Monmouth Nursing Home on April 5th, 2011 at 11:02 pm. John was born September 19,1932 in Monmouth, Illinois and is the son of Harry and Beatrice Bryans Bird. John was raised near and attended school in Seaton, IL. He graduated from Seaton High School in 1951. He served as a Corporal in the U.S. Army 1st Armored Division from February of 1953 to February of 1955. John married Dolores Sage on June 22, 1953 in Davenport, Iowa and she is surviving. John, for many years, was employed as a Food and Drug Inspector for the Illinois Department of Public Health. John was an active member and competitor in the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. He was one of the founders of the Front Loaders Gun Club of Warren, Co. IL, and a member of the Galesburg Auto Club, and the Peoria Crawling T's Club. John portrayed a period blacksmith at Lincoln's New Salem Historic Site, St. Petersburg, IL on many occasions. Survivors include his wife Dolores Bird of Monmouth, IL, three sons Garry (Mary) Bird of Champaign, IL. Randy (Faith) Bird of Davenport, IA. and Bryan (Jennifer) Bird of East Peoria, IL. One daughter, Melanie Breuer of Chandler, AZ. There are ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren surviving. John is preceded in death by his parents and twin sisters, Marilyn Bird and Marge Bruner. Services:A funeral service will be on Saturday April 9, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Village Baptist Church in Alexis, Illinois Interment will be in Norwood Cemetery. His family plans to receive friends at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth on Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm A memorial fund is being established for Faith Bible Church in Monmouth,IL