Robert William Shields

Robert William Shields, 103, passed away on Feb. 21, 2024, just four days shy of his 104th birthday, after a brief stay at Accolades in Paxton, after a brief illness. He had resided in Rantoul the last 26 years.

Robert was born on Feb. 24, 1920, in East Bend Township, Ill., to Robert Roy and Eva Johanna (Minks) Shields. He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church. He attended Dewey grade school and graduated in 1938 from Fisher High School. He enjoyed school, especially his ag courses and his ag teacher Mr. Lacy, with whom he kept in touch with for several years. He was raised learning the value of hard work and the love of family. He married Rena Alene Kingery in a double ceremony with her brother, Millard and Martha Kingery, Dec. 21, 1941, in St. Louis. They were married for 54 years when she passed away on Jan. 2, 1996.

Robert loved farming the family farm where he grew up, near Dewey, that has been designated as a Centennial Farm for being owned by the same line of descendants for over 100 years. He and Rena raised a large garden and canned many fruits and vegetables. They enjoyed taking their family on camping trips and visiting family and friends. Robert enjoyed photography and taking many pictures of their adventures. He was a volunteer fireman, a member and past director of the Champaign County Farm Bureau, member of the Church Builders Sunday School Class, he and Rena were members of the Boots and Bows Square Dance Club and they enjoyed spending their winters in Texas.

Robert later married Lila Little in Rantoul, Aug. 1997. They enjoyed many new friends in their Twin Lakes condo neighborhood. They moved to the Villas of Holly Brook in Rantoul on Dec. 2023. She survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Jean Kay Dean of Metamora, Ill., and Carol (Richard) Berg of Savoy; a son, Darrel W. (Tamara) Shields of Stanford, Ill.; two step-sons, Rick (Peggy) Little and Brent (Kendra) Little.

He was blessed to have grandchildren, Tony (Jenny) Dean, Becky (Eric) Bursott, Betsy (Terry) Kuper, Vince Dean, Laurie (Rob) Taylor, Kristen (Ryan) Radush, Mark (Jessica) Shields and Jeannine (Dee) Melton; along with 21 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Elinor Shields Cummings; and son-in-law, Thomas Dean.

Robert was a kind and quiet gentleman. A man of great faith, he was a member of the Fisher United Methodist Church for many years and later a member of the Rantoul United Methodist Church.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at the Fisher United Methodist Church, Fisher. The Rev. Bill Motzer will officiate. Burial will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery, Fisher. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. also on the morning of Feb. 27, 2024, at the Fisher United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to the Fisher High School Ag Department.