Melvin L. Bird, 93, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant.
A funeral service for Melvin will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, October 5 at the First Baptist Church, 100 East Webster Street, Mount Pleasant. Pastor Earl Swigart, family friend and Pastor of Lockridge Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Tuesday, October 4 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM on Tuesday.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to Hope Haven. Online condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com
Melvin Lyle Bird was born March 30, 1929 in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Lyle Raymond and Lula Bertha (Russell) Bird. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1947, and attended Iowa Wesleyan College. On September 30, 1951 at the First Methodist Church in Tipton, IA, Melvin married Betty Jean Nelson. Betty Jean died in September of 1991. On January 2, 1994 in Mt. Pleasant, Melvin married Elna Ruth Evoritt Robinson. Ruth preceded Melvin in death on April 10, 2001.
Melvin began a career as a Soil Conservation Technician in Western Iowa, moving to Cedar County, Iowa. He returned to southeast Iowa and farmed near Salina. Melvin then accepted a position to drive the Co-op Petroleum truck. He delivered fuels to farms for 11 years. Henry County asked him then to return to the Soil Conservation practice, which he did until he retired in 1992.
Melvin was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, where he served as a Deacon and Trustee. He also taught Sunday School for many years. For a number of years, Melvin served his country as a member of the Iowa National Guard. In his spare time, Melvin enjoyed woodworking and being a “gentlemen farmer:
Those thankful for sharing in Melvin’s life include a son, Michael Bird of Des Moines, IA; a step son, Ryan Robinson of Lockridge; 2 step grandchildren – Ashley and Leah and special friend Barb Lynchard of Mt. Pleasant.
His parents, both wives, a son, Jerald Bird, a step son Raymond Robinson and a step grandson Levi precede Melvin in death.