Ralph Eugene Shields Obituary

We are sad to announce that, on March 27, 2025, at the age of 92, Ralph Eugene Shields of Yale, Illinois passed away. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

He was predeceased by: his parents, Ralph Craig Shields and Hazel Dean Shields (Gordon); his wife Betty Louise Tipsword; his sons, John David Shields and James Daniel Shields; his stepdaughter Dawn Giroux; his siblings, Alva Dean Shields, Max Shields and Patricia Shonk; his siblings-in-law, Vivian Shields, Terri Shields, Mae Brown, Hughes Shonk and Walter Brown; and his niece Latricia Shonk.

He is survived by: his daughters, Cheryl Ann James of Mattoon, IL, Sandra Kaye Ogden of Paducah, KY and Betty Jean Coleman (Roy) of Yale, IL; his stepchildren, Richard "Rick" King (Dona), Judy Ellis (Bert), John King (Baby) and Robert Giroux; his grandchildren, Chris James, Eric James, Aaron James, Michael James, Adam Shields, Andy Shields, Jason Coleman (Jan), Mellissa Hawes (Lang), April Hagen (Lee), Erica Roberts (Josh), Alisha Shields, Craig Shields, Scott Beeson, Nicole Phillips and Jamie Fincher; his nephew Ralph Shields; and his nieces, Tina Shields, Kathy Washburn and Desiree Shields. He is also survived by twenty-five great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren, thirty-seven step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Grant Cemetery Fund c/o Markwell Funeral Home, PO Box 175, Casey, IL 62420.