Laurence Kenneth Bird

Laurence Kenneth Bird GOREVILLE-Laurence Kenneth Bird, 91, of Goreville passed away at 4:50 AM, Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at the V. A. Medical Center in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, November 24, 2006 at the Blue Funeral Home in Goreville with Dr. Ron Ferguson officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 until 3:00 PM, Friday, November 24, 2006 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Cana Cemetery, Goreville. Memorials may be made to the Diabetes Association; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Mr. Bird was born on October 8, 1915 in Perry County, Illinois to Laurence and Blanche (Craig) Bird. He married Mabel Scott on April 13, 1945 in Pinckneyville, Illinois; together they shared 61 years of marriage. Survivors include his wife, Mabel of Goreville; his children, Barbara and John Couty of Trenton, Michigan, Martha Bird of Crescent, Iowa, Gary and Pat Bird of Dupo, and Kenny and Mary Bird of Marion ; thirteen grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Kathryn Bird of Sparta; sisters, Ruth Chandler of Plymouth, Michigan and Lois Rednour of Canton, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Laverne Bird; one great granddaughter; brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd and Jessie Bird; and infant brother; and brothers-in-law, Charlie Chandler and Robert Rednour. Mr. Bird was a member of the First Baptist Church in Goreville. He served his country with the United States Navy during World War II. He loved to build and work on clocks, travel, hunt and fish in Canada and visit the Rocky Mountain National Park. He was devoted to his wife and family and will be greatly missed.