Frances "Fran" Jean Shields

Frances Jean (Emmons) Shields, 81, of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, at IU Health Bloomington Hospice House. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 58 years, James Shields. Frances will be remembered for her unwavering kindness, deep faith, and lifelong dedication to her family, education, and community service.

Fran was born and raised in Shoals, Indiana, the oldest of four daughters to Merl and Roberta Emmons. She graduated as salutatorian of her class at Springs Valley High School, and became the first in her immediate family to attend and graduate from college. She earned her bachelor’s degree in three years, and her master’s degrees in Secondary Education and Teaching, both from Indiana University. Fran and Jim were married on September 4, 1965, at Beck Chapel on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington.

Fran built a distinguished career as an educator, counselor, and school administrator spanning more than 40 years. Early in their careers, Fran and Jim moved back to Shoals to teach. They later returned to Bloomington, where Fran spent 32 years with the Monroe County Community School Corporation, first as an English teacher at Batchelor Middle School, then as a school counselor, and ultimately as Assistant Director of the Hoosier Hills Career Center. A tireless advocate for educational opportunity, Fran supported countless students and graduates, and also taught GED and adult literacy classes for many years. In 1998, she was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in recognition of her service to education. After retiring from Hoosier Hills in 2003, she continued her work in education as an Academic Advisor for Indiana University High School.

A devout Christian, Fran was a cherished member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Bloomington. She taught Sunday School and served on numerous church committees, often in leadership roles. Her commitment to service extended into the broader community. Before the local Lions Club began accepting women as members, Fran helped establish the Lionesses Club of Bloomington. She later joined the Lions Club and participated in many local volunteer initiatives, traveling with her husband and family to several Lions Club International Conventions. In 2016, she received the Lions Club International Monarch Chevron Award, recognizing 40 years of dedicated service.

Fran deeply valued time with her family and friends. She loved hosting and attending gatherings and events, especially with her children, grandchildren, sisters, in-laws, and her many nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren will always treasure their one-on-one time she spent with them, and their summer trips to Camp Grammy. She loved sharing her

passion for travel with family, often taking her children, grandchildren, mother, and sisters along with her. Yet her one constant travel companion was Jim, and together they visited 49 of 50 states. She also enjoyed listening to Southern Gospel music, playing card games, chatting around the dining room table, and savoring a hot cup of coffee.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, and her son-in-law Alan Macy.

She is survived by her daughter Angela Macy of Gosport, her daughter and son-in-law Tami Shields Silverman and Ross Silverman of Bloomington; her grandchildren, Emily Macy, Ethan Macy, Miranda Silverman, and Maxwell Silverman; her sisters, Linda Self (Eddie) of Shoals, Judy Simpson (Kelly) of Georgetown, and Sheila Merlene Wright (Randy) of Ellettsville, along with their children and grandchildren.

A celebration of Fran’s life will be held on Saturday. October 4 at 10am at Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home in Bloomington. Fran will be deeply missed, and her spirit remains a guiding light for all who knew her.