Hampden and Carmel, Maine - Ernest E. Starbird, 95, husband of Vivian (Dodi) Starbird, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025. He was born on the farm in South Sangerville February 17, 1930, to the late Irving G. Starbird and Florence (Rollins) Starbird.

After graduating from Guilford High School in 1948 he joined the 8th Air Force for four years. He was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas; Fort Francis E. Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Limestone Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine. He was schooled in auto mechanics. After the service he attended Husson College in Bangor, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1956. He was a member of Kappa Delta Phi. His teaching career began in 1956 at Carmel High School teaching business subjects. In 1962 he started teaching at Hermon High School in the business department and taught there for 29 years until he retired in 1991. He did various jobs during summer vacations: haying, construction, Maine Central Railroad at Great Works, and a cleaning service in Bangor. After retirement he did part-time custodial work at the Etna-Dixmont Elementary School for a number of years. He was a member of the National Teachers Association, Maine Teachers Association, Penobscot Retired Teachers Association, Maine Association of Retirees, and a member of Carmel Union Congregational Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. He was a past member of the South Sangerville Grange, the Golden Harvest Grange of Carmel, that he helped to build; the Eagles Club in Brewer, the Saturday Nighters, and the Carmel Senior Citizens Club. There were many years of dancing and enjoying friends. Ernie had a love of animals.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Dodi; son, Brian and his wife, Susan, of Hampden; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers, Durward and Irving; and sisters, Ardelia Clifford and Muriel Jewett.

Funeral services with military honors will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Brookings Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. Jacob Clement, of Carmel Union Congregational Church, officiating. A time of fellowship and refreshments will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. following the service at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. A committal service will follow in the Garland-Starbird family lot at Highland Cemetery, 588 Main Rd., Carmel. The family thanks St. Joseph Hospital and Maine Veteran's Home for their excellent care. A special thank you also goes to our neighbors and friends in Carmel and Hampden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Carmel Union Congregational Church, P.O. Box 111, Carmel, ME 04419; Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Ave, Bangor, ME 04401; and Maine Veterans' Home Hogan Rd., Bangor, ME 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.