Mark Birdsall

Funeral Information

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach, Michigan, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Colfax Cemetery.

Family of the Deceased

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Clare and June; his sister, Joyce; and his brother- in-law, Larry. He is survived by his brother, John (Dawn Joseph) Birdsall; his sister, Jennifer Montgomery; and his brother, Matthew (Rachel McKay) Birdsall; as well as five nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Mark will be remembered by his family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives he touched through his work and involvement in the community.

Biography

Mark Birdsall passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 22, 2026. Mark was born on January 23, 1970, to Clare and June Birdsall. He was the youngest of five children. He lived in the home where he was born until the age of 12, when his family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. After several years in Arizona, Mark returned to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he earned his bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University. Mark began his career at the Tribune in the summer of 2019 as sports editor, where he covered high school sports and ran the Tribunes annual football contest. When the COVID-19 pandemic reached Huron County and brought high school sports to a halt in March 2020, Mark made a temporary move to the newsroom. He officially joined the newsroom as a reporter in July 2021. In April 2022, he became assistant editor. Prior to joining the Tribune, Mark worked as a special sections editor for the Greenville Daily News and as a night desk editor for the Holland Sentinel and the Cadillac News. Mark had a large family that he did his best to spend time with, even with family members spread across the state and country. He developed a special bond with his great-nephew, Elijah Wildeboer. Whenever the family would get together, the two would always find a chance to talk. Mark did his best to be a constant male presence in Elijahs life. They would talk about photography, movies, and games. A smile would come to Marks face whenever he talked with others about what Elijah was up to. Mark was a movie buff and an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Michigan State Spartans, and Chicago Cubs. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and attending live music events. His interest in his community led him to join the Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus. He also had a deep interest in local history.

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