1977
Johnn
2013
Johnn David Bird
June 16, 1977 — August 4, 2013
Munising/Westland
Johnn David Bird, age 36, of Munising/Westland, Michigan died on Sunday afternoon, August 4, 2013 at Marquette General Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. Johnn died from injuries he sustained during a Motocross race in Christmas on July 20, 2013. He was born on June 16, 1977 in Southfield, Michigan to Rick and Mille (Smith) Bird. Johnn grew up in Canton and Brighton and attended school there. After school he worked construction and in restaurants before he began employment with The Ford Motor Company in 1999. Johnn worked at the Wayne and Michigan Assembly Plants and worked as a utility operator on the line at the time of his death. John was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following the University of Michigan, Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and NASCAR. Johnn's passion for riding sports and engines started at a young age when he would ride with his dad on the snowmobile as a baby. He moved from riding to driving his Kitty Cat snowmobile for hours on end only stopping to refuel. His family spent many vacations while he was growing up in the Munising area snowmobiling. As an adult, he travelled north to enjoy Munising and the area every chance he could. He enjoyed snowmobiling, dirt bike riding, and hunting. Johnn's life plan included retirement from Ford and then permanently moving to the Munising area so he could enjoy his passions fulltime. During his trips to Munising he made many friends. He befriended Ashley Ketzler and years into their friendship their relationship grew. Johnn and Ashley were engaged on New Year's and were planning their wedding in Munising on August 24, 2013. Johnn began Motocross and Snowcross racing and he was hooked. As heartbreaking as it is that he had an accident on the track, there is some comfort in knowing that he was doing what he enjoyed on his dirt bike. Johnn had his own mechanic shop and was constantly fixing motors for friends and family. He had a generous heart and was always willing to help others. Go Blue and Fly High #96.
Johnn is survived by his parents - Rick and Mille Bird of Howell; his fiancée and best friend - Ashley Marie Ketzler of Westland/Munising; brother - Tom (Sheila) Coniam of Westland; sister - Kristyn (Rick) Pearen of Mt. Pleasant; nephews - Ben, Josh, and Noah; nieces - Shelbi and Jordyn; uncles - John (Euridice Aboites) Bird of Tampa, FL and Joe (Carol) Smith of Redford; and numerous cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his uncle - Sidney Ray Smith and grandparents - Jack and Dorothy Bird and Vivian and Grady Smith. Johnn also leaves behind his four legged friends Blu and Guner. For many years, he and Blu were best buds.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Friday from 3:00 p.m until 9:00 p.m. and also on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will officiate Johnn's funeral service at the funeral home on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. Memorials in memory of Johnn may be made to the Alger County Animal Shelter.
Johnn David Bird, age 36, of Munising/Westland, Michigan died on Sunday afternoon, August 4, 2013 at Marquette General Hospital surrounded by his loved ones. Johnn died from injuries he sustained during a Motocross race in Christmas on July 20, 2013. He was born on June 16, 1977 in Southfield, Michigan to Rick and Mille (Smith) Bird. Johnn grew up in Canton and Brighton and attended school there. After school he worked construction and in restaurants before he began employment with The Ford Motor Company in 1999. Johnn worked at the Wayne and Michigan Assembly Plants and worked as a utility operator on the line at the time of his death. John was an avid sports fan and enjoyed following the University of Michigan, Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, and NASCAR. Johnn's passion for riding sports and engines started at a young age when he would ride with his dad on the snowmobile as a baby. He moved from riding to driving his Kitty Cat snowmobile for hours on end only stopping to refuel. His family spent many vacations while he was growing up in the Munising area snowmobiling. As an adult, he travelled north to enjoy Munising and the area every chance he could. He enjoyed snowmobiling, dirt bike riding, and hunting. Johnn's life plan included retirement from Ford and then permanently moving to the Munising area so he could enjoy his passions fulltime. During his trips to Munising he made many friends. He befriended Ashley Ketzler and years into their friendship their relationship grew. Johnn and Ashley were engaged on New Year's and were planning their wedding in Munising on August 24, 2013. Johnn began Motocross and Snowcross racing and he was hooked. As heartbreaking as it is that he had an accident on the track, there is some comfort in knowing that he was doing what he enjoyed on his dirt bike. Johnn had his own mechanic shop and was constantly fixing motors for friends and family. He had a generous heart and was always willing to help others. Go Blue and Fly High #96.
Johnn is survived by his parents - Rick and Mille Bird of Howell; his fiancée and best friend - Ashley Marie Ketzler of Westland/Munising; brother - Tom (Sheila) Coniam of Westland; sister - Kristyn (Rick) Pearen of Mt. Pleasant; nephews - Ben, Josh, and Noah; nieces - Shelbi and Jordyn; uncles - John (Euridice Aboites) Bird of Tampa, FL and Joe (Carol) Smith of Redford; and numerous cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his uncle - Sidney Ray Smith and grandparents - Jack and Dorothy Bird and Vivian and Grady Smith. Johnn also leaves behind his four legged friends Blu and Guner. For many years, he and Blu were best buds.
Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Friday from 3:00 p.m until 9:00 p.m. and also on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme will officiate Johnn's funeral service at the funeral home on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. Memorials in memory of Johnn may be made to the Alger County Animal Shelter.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Johnn David Bird, please visit our flower store.