Elisha Byrd Jr. 65 of Chana, IL died Thursday May 27, 2009 at home. He was born Jan. 28, 1944 in Detroit, MI the son of Elisha and Cassie Moore Byrd.. He married Marsha Ann Taylor March 7, 1970 in Sycamore, IL. Preceded by his parents, 3 brothers: Ed, Art, and Jack; sister: Margaret Myers, and a granddaughter: Michelle.
Served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. He worked for Northern Illinois University as a Foreman of Building Services, after he retired he was a bus driver for the Rochelle District.

Survived by his wife Marsha, 2 sons Elisha "Jay" (Anita) Byrd of Rochelle and William (Vanessa Cogdill) Byrd of Albuquerque, NM. Daughter Katrina (Larry) Smith of Mt Home, Ark, brothers Benjamin (Dean) Byrd of Sycamore, IL and Ernest (Carole) Byrd of Maple Park, IL.

Four grandchildren David (Rachael) Smith of Peoria, IL, Jacob and Brandon Byrd of Rochelle, and Lileann Byrd of Albuquerque, NM. And 1 Great Grandchild Davion Smith of Peoria, IL

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday June 1, 2009 at Unger-Horner Funeral Home 400 N. 6th Street Rochelle. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 5 at the Funeral Home.

Memorial to American Heart Association.
Military burial rites by Rochelle V.F.W. 3878 at Elmwood cemetery Sycamore, IL following the funeral.