Harry W. Shields 80, of Mt. Vernon died 10:10 a.m. Wednesday July 10, 2002, at his home.

He was retired from Illinois Bell Telephone Company.

Mr. Shields was born in Mt. Vernon on January 2, 1922, to Harry and Valeta (Patterson) Shields.

He married Betty L. Whitlock on March 15, 1941, in Jackson Mo, she survives.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. friday at Logan Street Baptist Church. The Revs. J. R. Janese and Everett Lemay will officiate. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Harry L. Shields and wife Sherry of Largo, Fla. and Larry R. Shields and wife Doris of Mt. Vernon: four grandchildren, James Glen Shields, Kristi K. Shields, Stephanie Green and husband Randy and Renee James, three great-grandchildren, Nikolas Konner Green, Victoria Rae Green and Hunter Shields, and two brothers, J. R. Shields and wife Phyllis of Mt. Vernon and Joe Frank Shields and wife Janice of Mt. Vernon.

Mr. Shields was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Logan Street Baptist Church and the Elks Lodge of Mt. Vernon.

This much-beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather enjoyed golf, fishing, Fighting Illini sports and Cubs Baseball. Mr. Shields was a former star athlete at Mt.Vernon Township High School where he was nicknamed "Hurrling Harry."

He was preceded in death by his parents.

For those who wish memorials may be made to Logan Street Baptist Day Care, Leukemia Foundation, American Cancer Society and will be accepted at the funeral or mailed to Osborn Funeral Home, 322 North Main St., Dix, Illinois 62830.

Source: Mt Vernon Register News
Date: July 2002
Submitted by: Ida Reeves