Gwendolyn J Shields

GWENDOLYN JUNE SHIELDS, 93, of Roswell, N.M., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. Gwen had a saving faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and had been received into eternal glory according to His promise. Gwen was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, N.M. Born June 2, 1921, in Geneva, Ind., she was a daughter of the late Clarence Fayette Frye and Effie Delores Hoover. She was married to Lester France and later to Richard Shields; they both preceded her in death. Gwen was an avid traveler and owned a travel agency for many years. She traveled extensively around the world and enjoyed taking trips with the groups she would arrange. She moved to New Mexico to be with her son, Dave and daughter, Zandra, first to Albuquerque and later to Roswell. She also loved her church and her church family at Immanuel. Gwen is survived by her son, David F. France of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter, Zandra J. Orr of Roswell, N.M.; stepson, Richard Shields of Titusville, Fla.; stepdaughters, Ellen (Edward) Lopshire of Angola, Ind. and Wanda Swihart of Zanesville, Ind., and their families; grandchildren, Angela Blakley of Albuquerque, N.M. and Kurt (Sandra) Richardson of Roswell, N.M.; great-grandchildren, Robert Blakely, Kyle Richardson and Kelly Richardson; sister, Edith Bearman of Fort Wayne; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her sister, brother and granddaughter, Kelley. Funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1405 N. Sycamore Ave. The Rev. Daniel Praeuner and the Rev. Robert Paul officiating. Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2014, at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. Graveside service is 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014, at Greenlawn Park Cemetery Chapel. Pallbearers will be Kyle Richardson, Kelly Richardson, Bud Kunkel, Gene Balderston, Hugh Taylor, and Segundo Armendariz. "Our family would like to express our love and gratitude to the people that cared for Gwen. To her doctors, Crit Hobbs, E. Badine and Krista Brown; her caregivers, Shannon Harper, Anita Kermode, Hope Cardenas, and Carla Padilla; and all the staff at The Beehive and Emeritus / Villa Del Rey. Your excellent care and compassion for her cannot be over-stated. She was blessed to have you in her life." In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Roswell, N.M. Arrangements are under the personal care of LaGrone Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be made online at www.lagronefuneralchapel.com