Stevenson & Sons Funeral Homes

Serving families in the Miles City, Forsyth, Lame Deer, Broadus, Circle, Jordan and Terry areas for three generations.

For Immediate Help Call
Miles City: 406-232-4457 — Forsyth: 406-346-2311

In Memory Of

Edward Bird, age 65, of Miles City.

July 12, 1957 – November 18, 2022

Edward John Bird passed away November 18, 2022, after a short, courageous battle with glioblastoma.

Ed was born July 12, 1957, in Miles City, MT, the sixth of eight children born to Harold and Ann (Doran) Bird.  Ed attended grade school at the Divide School east of Volborg, MT, and graduated Powder River County High School in Broadus, MT in 1975.  He graduated from MSU in Bozeman with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.  While in college, Ed was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) fraternity.

In 1980, Ed started working for Welex, a division of Halliburton.  This work involved logging oil wells in Kansas and Wyoming.  He returned to Montana in 1983 and worked for his brother Steve for a few months before going to work for Western Industries in Miles City, MT.

Ed married Rae Ellen Gaskill on August 2, 1985.  They moved to Pumpkin Creek 16 miles south of Miles City, making a living in agriculture and raising their two sons – Dan born in 1989 and John born in 1991.

Ed had a very analytical mind.  He could fix, repair, rebuild, or fabricate most anything, using a wrench, cutting torch, grinder, welder, or metal lathe.  His hobbies included reading, bowling, solving Sudoku puzzles, going to auction sales and collecting antique tractors and equipment.

Ed served on the board of Custer County Conservation District for 15 years as well as the County Planning Board.

He is survived by his wife, Rae Ellen, his “right-hand” man, John, of the family home, and “left-hand” man, Dan, of Olive, MT, his sister, Lynette Kerbel of Billings, MT, brothers Gary of Bismarck, ND, Ken (Terri) of Volborg, MT, Cliff (Kelly) of Center, ND, Jim (Linda) of Volborg, MT, and Rob (Kathy) of Bismarck, ND.  Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Harold (1990), Ann (2022), brother, Steve (2003), brother-in-law, Keith Kerbel (2018), and father-in-law, Ray Gaskill (2018).

Family will receive friends on Monday, November 21, 2022 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.  A Prayer Service will follow at 6:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miles City.  Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:  www.stevensonandsons.com.

Memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Hospice, 2600 Wilson St., Miles City, MT 59301; Broadus Cancer Fund, 20 Gardner Rd, Ashland, MT 59003; or Trinity Lutheran Church, 221 S. Center Ave, Miles City, MT 59301.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Monday November 21, 2022

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Prayer Service

6:00 p.m.

Monday November 21, 2022

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Tuesday November 22, 2022

Trinity Lutheran Church

221 S Center Avenue

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Interment

To follow immediately after Funeral Service

Custer County Cemetery

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Monday November 21, 2022

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Prayer Service

6:00 p.m.

Monday November 21, 2022

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Tuesday November 22, 2022

Trinity Lutheran Church

221 S Center Avenue

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

Interment

To follow immediately after Funeral Service

Custer County Cemetery

Miles City, Montana 59301

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. Our deepest condolences to his family. I thoroughly enjoyed visitng with him each week at bowling. He will be missed!

  5. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family. Ed will be missed by all. It’s been decades since I last spoke with him, but I can’t imagine he changed much.

  7. Rae Ellen and family,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and in the days ahead.

  8. Rae Ellen and boys,
    So very sorry to hear about Ed’s passing! My heart breaks for you all!🙏 Are prayers are with you all now and in the difficult days ahead!

  10. We are so sorry for your loss, Rae Ellen, Dan and Johnny. Our most sincere condolences to you and the entire Bird family.

  12. Rae Ellen and boys, our thoughts and prayers are with you. So sorry for your loss.

  13. Rae Ellen, boys and entire Bird family our thoughts and prayers are with all of you!

  14. I’m so sorry to hear this. Condolences and good memories to all of Ed’s family.

  15. Rae Ellen and Family and all the Bird Families
    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. So sorry for your loss and I will keep all of you in my prayers.

  16. Rae Ellen and family…Tim and I are deeply saddened by this news! We are keeping you in our prayers!

  17. Rae Ellen and Boys,
    My heart aches for you, I am so very sorry for all of you. Praying for all of you. Love

  19. Ray Ellen and family,
    I am so very sorry to hear of your loss.
    Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

  20. Ed’ family, my prayers for u during this time of sorrow and grief. May your hearts be lightened with happy memories.

  21. Rae Ellen and all of the Bird family,
    I am shocked to hear of your loss, but know that the Lord grants comfort and will keep you in my prayers as you go through this time of loss and change. May the Lord grant you comfort and draw you close.

  22. Rae Ellen and boys,
    I was saddened to hear of Ed’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss.
    May god bless you and comfort you in your time of grief.

  23. Rae Ellen and family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

  25. Hugs and prayers to all of you. My heart bleeds for you all. May God be with you today and always.

  26. RaeEllen, Dan, John and all of Ed’s family, we are terribly sorry for your loss . Sending many hugs and prayers your way.

  29. Rae Ellen and family, we want to extend our heartfelt sympathy to you all and may your memories give you peace and comfort.

  30. Rae Ellen, boys, family and friends. Sending prayers for you all during this difficult time for you all to find comfort. Cherish the memories you have. Words cannot express how sorry we are. God Bless

  32. May God and His promises comfort you all during this difficult time. May your lives be filled with wonderful memories of Ed.
    My deepest condolences.

  33. I’m so sorry for the loss of Ed. We all saw him grow up with his sister and brothers in the community and Broadus schools. My heart is so sad for the family and friends. I’m praying .Mary Smith Roig

  36. Rae Ellen, Dan and John our thoughts and prayers to you. Our hearts are sad but we are grateful for good memories! Hugs Dana, Marty and Rylee

  39. Ray Ellen and family, Our deepest sympathy to all of you. May God give you comfort and hold you in the palm of His hand. Chris and Jan

  40. Chris and I are so sorry to hear of Ed’s passing, I’ve known Ed most of my life, our hearts ache for all of Ed’s family. May God bless you and keep you.

  41. Lynette, Gary, Ken, Cliff, Jim & Rob: I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your brother. I was incredibly blessed to see you all in September and to have a great visit and laughs with Ed about some of our escapades growing up together. My condolences to his family! Rest in peace my dear cousin, you will be missed! God bless you all!

  42. Raellen, Dan & Johnny
    I am so sorry for your loss. We did not know Ed was sick. You are all in our prayers and thoughts.

  44. RaeEllen, So sorry for your families loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you and your boys. 💕

  45. This was very sad news for Tom and I. Many wonderful memories of a long friendship with Ed.
    He will be remembered fondly and missed very much. Our sincere condolences to Rae Ellen, boys and all the family. Tom &Lillian

  46. Rae Ellen, boy’s and family.. so very sorry for your loss.. our deepest sympathy to all of you.. we will hold you in our prayers during this difficult time 🙏❤ Monte and Pat Herzog

  47. RaeEllen and boys, I’m so sorry for the loss of a wonderful husband and father. My heart aches for you. You are in my prayers as you enter a difficult life without him.

  49. RaeEllen & Family,

    We are so sorry to hear about Ed’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  52. Rae Ellen, Dan and John
    Words can’t say enough about this sudden passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  53. I am so sorry Lynette,& brothers for your loss of Ed & to Rae Ellen and the boys for your loss! Prayers for all of the family at this difficult time!

  54. Rae Ellen, John, Dan & family.
    So sorry to hear about Ed, he will be solely missed. Keeping you & your family in our thoughts & prayers.
    Hugs to you & your family. God bless.

  55. Thinking of all of you during this trying time. We enjoyed Ed and his cute smile as he teased and laughed. He will be missed by many. God be with you.

  56. Rae Ellen and all Bird Cuz’s:
    I am so sorry to learn of Ed’s passing. It’s just not time for members of our generation to be checking out. I very much enjoyed Ed’s conversation, insights and intelligence, and I appreciated your loyalty as clients, and Rae Ellen was once part of the office family. Heartfelt condolences and best wishes to all. He will be missed.

  57. Rae Ellen And family, So very sorry to hear of Ed” s passing .Thoughts and prayers for your family

  58. Rae Ellen, Dan & John,
    We are so sorry to hear about Ed. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers

  59. RaeEllen, Dan and Johnny,
    My deepest condolences in the loss of Ed. I always enjoyed visiting with Ed. His stories and quiet giggle were fun, and it was always good to see him at bowling. Thinking of you in the difficult days ahead and sending hugs!

  61. Rae Ellen, Dan and John, we are saddened to hear of your loss. May God be with you all and give you peace and strength.
    Jim and Anita Scheeler

  62. Rae Ellen, Dan & John, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. We always enjoyed our visits with Ed, we will keep you all in our prayers during this most difficult time.

  63. Rae Ellen, boys and all the Bird family, Pete and I are so very sorry for your loss. Ed was the nicest guy and gone way too soon. Prayers for all of you during this difficult time.

  64. So sorry to hear of Ed’s passing . We were shocked to read this and saddened that we will not run into him for a visit at the fair or any local event. We went to college together and had a good time. Ed was always able to see the other side of an issue even if he didn’t agree . We hope Rae Ellen and boys can survive this tragedy. our prayers are with you.

  65. Rae Ellen, Boys and Families
    I am so very sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. It was always great visiting with Ed when I had seen him. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. Ed will always be a Treasure in your hearts and never forgotten. Treasure your memories as they will help with difficult days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  67. My thoughts and prayers to Rae Ellen, Dan and John in your loss of husband and father. May you find comfort in Gods Grace in the months to come

  69. Rae Ellen and boys so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

  70. Dear Jesus, wrap your loving arms around Ed’s loved ones, may they all feel your peace and comfort with You.

  71. Rae Ellen my heart and prayers go out to you. Your loss is great, but you have the support of the congregation and your boys. John know you are strong and remember how much your dad loved you. Dan help your mom when you can. A big hug to all of you.

  72. Rae Ellen and family so sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you that God will wrap His arms around you and give you peace and comfort during this time and always.

  74. RaeEllen, Dan, Johnny and the Bird and Gaskill families, we are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all and know we will keep you in our prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time.

  76. Rae Ellen our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.

  77. Rae Ellen our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Sorry for your loss.

  78. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Ed’s family. To my classmate, Lynette, Rae Ellen and the boys, and all of Ed’s brothers and families may you find peace in the difficult days ahead.
    In Friendship,
    Carol

  80. I m so sorry to hear about Eddy . I have very fond memories of teaching Divide school with the Bird boys. My prayers to your family.

  81. To each member of Ed’s family, especially Rae Ellen: Rick and I are very saddened to learn of Ed’s passing. You have our sincerest condolences.

  82. Rae Ellen, Don and I are so saddened by the death of Ed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys.

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