Roland Lloyd Bird, 82, of Gamaliel, Ark., formerly of High Ridge, died Feb. 14, 2019, in Springfield, Mo. Mr. Bird, a veteran of the U.S. Army, was a mechanic with American Can, retiring in 1992 after 36 years of service. He and his wife moved to Arkansas after retirement, where he enjoyed fishing on Lake Norfork, gardening and canning vegetables, spending time with family and friends, and keeping track of his favorite fishing holes.
Born Aug. 18, 1936, in Pinckneyville, Ill., he was the son of the late Verna Ruth (Williamson) and Orville Bird.
He is survived by his wife: Lola Mae (Dean) Bird; four children: Brian (Eva) Bird, Cynthia (Tom) Plate, Ronald (Kathy) Bird and Renee Blanken; a sister: Betty (Ron) Woodruff; three grandchildren: Sara (Nick) Gebbia, Kristen Bird and Troy Bird; and two great-grandchildren: Dominic and Maxwell Gebbia.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Orville Wayne Bird; and a grandson: Andrew Schneider.
Funeral services were held Feb. 20 at Hoffmeister South County Chapel. Burial was in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Lemay. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were under the direction of Hoffmeister South County Chapel.