Joe D. Byrd

A beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Friend.
On this windy April day,
We remember him In a special way.
Never forgetting him is our vow.
Knowing he'll forever be with us somehow.
This is an easy vow to keep,
Because our love for him is deep.
And although his soul
Has reached the sky,
In our hearts he'll never die.
Christina Hreha
 
Joe D. Byrd, 61, of Sheffield Lake, died Sunday, April 15, 2007 at New Life Hospice of St. Joseph Residential Center, Lorain, following a 2 year illness with cancer.
He was born June 22, 1945 in Walnut, Mississippi; making his home in Sheffield Lake since 1958. He attended Brookside High School, and was employed by Ford Motor Company, Avon Lake, retiring in 1996 after 33 years of service.
He was a member of the United Auto Workers Union Local 2000 and attended the Church of Open Arms in Sheffield Village.
He enjoyed playing billiards, playing cards and was an avid Cleveland Indians fan.
Surviving is his wife of 23 years, Gloria Hreha Byrd (nee Guidicelli); sons, Joe S. Byrd of Sheffield Lake, Kris Byrd of Lorain, and Kevin Byrd of Kentucky; daughters, Patty Shelton and Karen Rector both of Akron; step sons, James Hreha Jr. of Lorain, Richard Hreha of Rhode Island, Ronald Hreha of North Carolina; step daughters, Judith Williams of Kentucky and Gloria Coe of Elyria; 11 grandchildren, 6 step grandchildren, 1 step great granddaughter; brothers, Jack S. Byrd of Sheffield lake, and Thomas M. Byrd of Vermilion.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Byrd in 1995 and Virgie (nee Mohundro) Byrd in 2007.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain, where funeral services will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Dennis Souers, pastor of Church of Open Arms, will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Twp.