Melvin Leroy Bird

Melvin L. Bird (Mel), age 85, of Council Bluffs, passed away at Midlands Nursing Home on February 17th, 2018. He was born in Crescent, Iowa on February 3rd, 1933 to the late Fred W. Bird Sr. and Grace Ann (Smith) Bird.

Mel graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1952. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force, and re-enlisted for 6 years in 1956. He served our country proudly during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He married Kathryn Aliano on September 11th, 1976 in Council Bluffs. After leaving the Air Force, Mel worked in Civil Service for 39 years at Offutt Air Force Base. He joined the U.S. Army Reserves during that time for 11 years. After retiring Mel and wife Kaye moved to Heber Springs, Arkansas, built a home and enjoyed Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River. They moved back to Iowa after 15 years. They enjoyed their stay in Arkansas.

Mel belonged to the Masonic Lodge Cobia #631, American Legion Post #2 in Council Bluffs, lifetime member of VFW Post 3543 in Heber Springs, AR, Council Bluffs Eagles Club #104, lifetime NARFE member, the Fish and Game Club, and a member of the Emanuel Lutheran Church.

In addition to his parents, Mel was preceded in death by daughter, Terri Renee; sisters, Lillian Gorden, Thelma Rief, Gladys Jensen and Viola Anderson; brothers, Fred Bird, Jr. and George Bird; ex-wife, JoAnn Heath; Step-son, Fred J. Aliano Jr.; brothers-in-law, Leslie Gordon, Harold Rief, Folmer Jensen, John Anderson, Nyal Weatherill, Bill Spitznagle, Bob Heath; sisters-in-law, Gen Bird, Thelma Bird and Ruby Bird.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Bird; daughter, Connie Lynn Kesner (Jim); stepson, Mark Aliano (Janet); step daughter-in-law, Karen Aliano; granddaughters, Alycia Edwards (Jake), Amanda Hall (Justin), Marisa Brown (Mike); grandson, Michael Kesner; great grandchildren, Leonard Edwards, Zachary Brown, Makayla Brown, and Cody Brown ; step grandchildren, Joey (Genn), Christine Chadderdon (Matt), Nicholas (Lindsay), and Angela Kaye Venditte (Charles); step great grandchildren, Curtis, Krista, Carson, Adam Isabella and Scarlette; sisters, Lucille Weatherill, Norma Heath and Mary Ione Spitznagle; brother, Robert Bird Jr.; nieces, nephews and many other family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday February 22, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10:30 am at Emanuel Lutheran Church followed by a luncheon at Emanuel Lutheran Church. Interment at Omaha National Cemetery later that day.

Memorials suggested to Crohns and Colitis, Nebraska/Iowa Foundation.