John Shields

John William Shields, age 82, of Cherryvale, Kansas died Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kansas. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Jeff McCullough officiating with cremation to follow under the direction of the Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, Kansas. Visitation hours will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, 2012 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, Kansas. The family has suggested memorials to the American Diabetes Association and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel in Cherryvale, Kansas. John William Shields was born July 20, 1929 in Medicine Lodge, Kansas to Jesse Veach and Vera Sullivan Shields. John graduated from the Cherryvale High School in 1947. John then attended Independence community College. On September 7, 1950 John entered the United States Navy and served during the Korean Conflict on the USS Suisun until his honorable discharge on July 6, 1954. On January 17, 1951 in Bentonville, Arkansas John married Patricia Davis the couple made their home in Cherryvale, Kansas. Patricia preceded him in death in 2001. John worked as a telegrapher for Frisco Railroad from March of 1948 to September of 1960. In 1965 John started working at the Cherryvale Post office retiring as a rural mail carrier in 1989. He was a past member of the Cherryvale School Board and was a member of the First Baptist Church. Survivors include one son Mark and wife Darla Shields of Cherryvale, Kansas four daughters Cynthia and husband Terry Kiser of Erie, Kansas, Sherri Shields of Fairfield, Iowa, Jan and husband Matt Healy of Cary, North Carolina and Ann Shields of Cherryvale, Kansas two sisters Dorothy Shields of Independence, Kansas and Pat Fish of Quartzsite, Arizona close friend Beverly Laird of Independence, Kansas 12 grandchildren Jessika Workman, Christopher Olson, Ben Healy, Tyler Healy, Jacob Beye, Brent Beye, Josh Shields, Garrett Shields, Noah Shields, James Shepard, Wes Shepard and Jessica Madron eight great grandchildren Tucker Workman, Tabor Workman, Grant Wilson, Astrid Wilson, Courtney Raul, Matthew Shepard, Michael Shepard, and Julie Madron. He was also preceded in death by one brother Elton Shields and one sister Osie McWhirt.