John D. Shields

John was born on June 13, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan to Leo and Juanita Shields. John served his country from 1951 to 1953 in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Shortly after his return home, he wed Norma Jane and the two of them spent 34 wonderful years together before her passing on September 10, 1990.

John spent most of his career life as a systems analyst at Sperry Vickers until his retirement. In his younger years, he spent time working on Great Lakes freighters. John was a devout Catholic belonging to St. Therese Catholic Church and frequenting Church of the Resurrection for daily Mass. John was also a Eucharistic Minister for most of his adult life. Giving communion to the sick on a weekly basis was a huge aspect of John's being and a large portion of his life calling. This was his true life's work.

John loved to sing, he was a cantor, and performed with a barbershop quartet for many years . He also enjoyed taking walks, playing tennis, and going to the family farm. He made multiple trips to visit Međjugorje, a village in Bosnia, one of the world's foremost Christian pilgrimage sites.

John is survived by his children, Daniel Shields (Marie), Mary Shields, Patrick Shields, and Kathleen Chrupcala; his grandchildren, Jordan (Jeff), Rachel, Randa (Tommy), Danielle, Devin, Eric (Makayla), Thadeus, and Sophie, and his great-grandchildren, Matthew, Charlie and a new baby Shields on the way. He is preceded in death by his siblings, Geraldine Manor and Edward Shields and his parents, Leo Shields and Juanita (Rogers) Shields.

A visitation for John will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with the rosary prayer at 7:30 PM, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes DeWitt Chapel, 205 E Washington St., DeWitt, MI 48820. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at St. Therese Catholic Church, 102 W. Randolph St., Lansing, MI 48906. John will be laid to rest on September 23, 2023 at 4:30 PM at St. Johns Catholic Cemetery in Forestville, Michigan.

Contributions in John's memory may be made to St. Therese Catholic Church, 102 W Randolph St., Lansing, Michigan 48906 and Church of the Resurrection, 1505 E Michigan Ave., Lansing, Michigan 48912.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grdewitt.com for the Shields family.