Bird, LeRoy J. 'June'

LeRoy J. “June” Bird, 84, of Iowa City, died peacefully Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Mercy Hospice surrounded by his family.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Iowa City, with Rev. John Spiegel officiating. Graveside services with military honors conducted by West Branch American Legion Post 514 will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Johns Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, where a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mercy Hospital Foundation for Mercy Hospice or to the Solon Care Center.

LeRoy was born May 22, 1926 in Belle Plaine, Iowa, the son of LeRoy and Ida Mae (McKeen) Bird. He was a graduate of Belle Plaine High School where he was an all-state wrestler. Following high school LeRoy served in the U.S. Army 254th Infantry 63 Division M Company + HQ in World War II. His service awards include the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Upon his return from Europe he worked with the WPA, the CCC and the Belle Plaine Telephone Company.

On October 19, 1949 he married Darlene Novak at St. Michael's Church in Belle Plaine. Darlene died February 16, 1980. On July 17, 1982 he married Karol Brown at St. Mary's Church in Iowa City.

From 1949 to 1982 LeRoy lived in Cedar Rapids where he was employed by Link-Belt-Speeder/FMC for almost 40 years and taught small engine repair at Kirkwood Community College. He was a member of the American Legion Hanford Post #5 and St. Ludmila's Church, the Moose and Eagles Lodge, all in Cedar Rapids. In Iowa City LeRoy was a member of St. Mary's Church, was a supervisor for the Iowa City Press Citizen Ad Sheet and was a demonstrator at area grocery stores. LeRoy had a great affection for children. He served as Santa Claus at Smulekoff's and Sycamore Mall for over 25 years.

LeRoy is survived by his wife, Karol of Iowa City; five children, Janet (Bob) Kline of West Branch, Diana (Robert) Schmidt of Goldfield, Ronald Bird, Michael Bird and Alan (Susan) Bird, all of Cedar Rapids; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; his sister, Dollie Ayres of Wilton; three stepchildren, Elaine Eldridge of Newport, Minn., Glenn (Sara) Brown of Iowa City, and Steven Brown of Omaha; numerous stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren; and cousins.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Darlene; three brothers, Clarence, Charles and Richard Bird; and his sister, Edith Lucas.

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