John F. Bird, 76, of Atchison, KS, died in his home on Sunday, June 26th, 2016.

John F. Bird was born on Sept. 15, 1939 in Atchison, KS, the son of John J. and Irene (Hekelnkaemper) Bird. John grew up in Atchison and was an alumnus of Maur Hill.  He served in the United States Air Force and, later, in the Navy Reserves. John was married to June Marie Vanderweide in 1963. They were later divorced.  John lived and worked in Kansas City, Colorado, and then Atchison. He worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for the Atchison Fire Department. Most recently he worked at Mall Towers. He enjoyed holidays, particularly Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day.  John was a Boy Scout volunteer and in his later years he enjoyed creating soldiers and historic figurines poured from lead, painting, and learning about and discussing history.

A memorial service will be 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 6th, 2016 at the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home with Abbot Barnabus Senecal, OSB, officiating.  There will be a private inurnment at a later date.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Atchison Library and may be sent in care of the funeral home.  Condolences to the family may be left online at www.beckerdyer.com.

Survivors include his five children, John “Joe” (Tammera) Bird, Rochester, MN, Pat Bird, Overland Park, KS, Chris (Vicky) Bird, Prairie Village, KS, Bridget (Peter) Bird Ketter, and Dan Bird, Kansas City, MO; six grandchildren; his former wife, June Marie Bird, Overland Park, KS; and a brother, Mike Bird, Steamboat Springs, CO. His parents, twin brother, Jim Bird, sister-in-law, Kathy Bird, and his former brother-in-law, Charles Vanderweide preceded him in death.