Michael Jay Birdno

Michael Jay Birdno, 71, a lifelong resident of Show Low, passed away unexpectedly on December 21, 2021. He was born on January 12, 1950 in Artesia, New Mexico and moved to Show Low in 1953, which he called his home for the rest of his life.

Mike grew up riding Honda trail motorcycles all over the white mountain area—fishing and exploring archeological sites. His love for exploring and artifact hunting later translated into a love for rock hounding, which he passed on to many of his grandchildren.

He attended High School at Snowflake Union High School, graduating in 1968, and then serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Central America, from 1969-1971. He loved connecting with Latin American people and spoke fluent Spanish for the rest of his life.

He studied Business Management at Brigham Young University, and played trombone in the Cougar marching band. While there, he was President of the Arizona club and loved to participate in country Western swing dancing, particularly after meeting the love of his life, Janette. They were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple in 1976.

Following their marriage, they moved back to Show Low, and have lived here since. The focus of his life has been his 4 children, their spouses, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether he was working at Safeway or the other jobs he worked after retirement, his primary purpose was to earn money so that he could spend time with his children and grandchildren, especially when he could go with them to beautiful locations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Jay & D’Rae Birdno, his brother Steve, and a son-in-law, David Schott. He is survived by his dear eternal companion, Janette, his brother Terry Birdno, and his sister Tressa Christianson. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his life passion:  

Michelle (daughter) & Glade Smith (with 2 sons, 2 daughters, 2 daughters-in-law & 3 grandchildren), Merrill (son) & Cami Birdno (with 3 sons & 3 daughters), Curtis (son) & Crystal Birdno (with 5 sons), Amie (daughter) & Jeremy Solheim (with 2 daughters and 1 son)

He will be deeply missed by many friends and his family. As a family, we invite you to participate in a viewing on Wednesday December 29th from 6:30-7:30 pm at Owens-Livingston Mortuary in Show Low. Funeral Services will take place the following morning, Thursday, December 30th at 11 am at the Show Low Stake Center. An additional viewing will take place that morning from 10-10:45 am at the Stake Center. Interment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery.

For anyone unable to attend the service in person, please use the following Zoom link:

https://zoom.us/j/92570912769?pwd=V00rSFhucjZ4NENKU0ZlTS9IcVQ3Zz09

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