Michael L. Bird

1972 - 2020

Michael L. Bird, 47, of Avon, passed away peacefully at home to be with the Lord on July 17, 2020 after a three year battle with cancer. He was born November 1, 1972 in Oberlin, and was a 1991 graduate of Elyria High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society. While at EHS, Mike earned 3 letters in baseball and 2 in football. During his senior season he set two passing records as the Pioneers’ quarterback and was named to the All-County and All-Conference teams. In baseball, he earned All-County, All-Conference and All-District honors. During the summers, he enjoyed playing American Legion baseball for three years, and once pitched a no-hitter for his Elyria team. He went on to attend Ashland University on a partial baseball scholarship and later transferred to Ohio Wesleyan University where he continued his baseball career. As a senior, he was named to the All-Conference team for the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). He also established the record for the lowest career ERA in the NCAC, a record which still stands today. Academically, he graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1996 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics Management. Mike has been employed as a sales manager, most recently at the Brunswick office of Electric Power Systems.Mike was devoted to his family. He dedicated many hours to coaching his sons’ baseball, basketball and football teams. He was a lifelong fan of all Cleveland sports teams, the Ohio State Buckeyes and more recently, the Avon Eagles. Mike enjoyed traveling with his family, particularly to the ocean shore. He also relished many hours at his family’s Lake Erie cottage. With his many friends, he enjoyed playing golf, attending various sporting events, and participating in fantasy football. Mike was a member of the former Saint Paul United Church of Christ, where he served on Church Council, and the Lorain County Historical Society, where he volunteered at various fundraising events.Mike is survived by his wife of 14 years, Nicole (nee Hepburn); sons, Branson and Colton; parents, William and Janet Bird of Elyria; a brother, Bryan Bird of Strongsville; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and his beloved rescue dog Lucky.He was preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Evalyn Bird and Wayne and Edith Palmer.Private services for the family will be at Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 323 Middle Ave., Elyria with Reverend Kathryn Ketchum officiating. Burial will be in Ridgelawn Cemetery. A celebration of life for family and friends is planned for a later date.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ZERO-The End of Prostate Cancer, 515 King Street, Suite 420, Alexandria, VA 22314https://support.zerocancer.org OR The Lorain County Dog Kennel, 301 Hadaway Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035 http://www.loraincounty.us/commissioners-departments/dog-kennel/make-a-donation OR The Gathering Place, 23300 Commerce Park, Beachwood, Ohio 44122 https://www.classy.org/give/156105 For online condolences, visit www.dickenfuneralhome.com