Obituary of Franklin H. Bird

Reverend Franklin H. Bird, Jr., age 85, of the Rocky Head Community, Ariton, died Sunday, October 11, 2009, in Ozark Health and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services will be 2:30 P. M. Wednesday, October 14, 2009, from the First United Methodist Church of Ozark with Reverend Dr. Christian Eckert and Reverend Dr. Jason Thrower officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Olive Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Reverend Bird's body will be placed in the church one hour prior to service time on Wednesday. The family will receive friends at the church during this time on Wednesday. Reverend Bird was born September 2, 1924 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Margaret Scott Bird and Franklin H. Bird, Sr. He served in the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant during World War II. He married Sara Marie LeVance on June 17, 1950. Reverend Bird was an ordained United Methodist Minister, serving churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Following his retirement from teaching school for twenty years, he and Mrs. Bird moved south to the Rocky Head Community. He served Post Oak United Methodist Church for six months as an interim minister, and was pastor of Ariton United Methodist Church for seven years. His heart was to serve people and Our Lord, which gave us many opportunities. Survivors include his wife, Sara Marie LeVance Bird of Ariton; one daughter, Susan Johnston of Ariton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Clifford F. and Sandi Bird of Cohoes, New York, Timothy and Katherine Bird of Freeburg, Illinois. Six grandchildren and four great grandchildren also survive. Service Information