Robert Jerome Shields

Father Shields was born in Dayton, Ohio on May 30, 1931 to Robert J. Shields and Dorothy (Niederkorn) Shields and died in Yakima, Washington on Thursday, November 1, 2012.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Paul Cathedral in Yakima on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 5:30p.m. preceded by a Vigil service on Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. also at the Cathedral. Viewing will begin at 3:00 p.m. until 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday at the Cathedral. Burial will be on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 with a graveside committal at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery.

He attended elementary school in Dayton at Corpus Christi Parish, graduated in 1949 from Chaminade High School in Dayton, after which he attended fall quarter at the University of Dayton. He then moved to the University of Cincinnati where he graduated in 1954 with a B.S. degree in education.

After receiving his certificate of Music from the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, he served in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. In 1957, Father Shields entered the Seminary of St. Philip Neri in Haverhill, MA for one year; then moved to St. Thomas the Apostle Seminary, Kenmore from 1958-1964. He was ordained a priest on May 23, 1964 at St. Paul Cathedral in Yakima.

Father Shields served as associate pastor at St. Paul Cathedral from 1968-1969; pastor of Resurrection Parish, Zillah from 1975-1983; St. Henry Parish in Grand Coulee from 1983-1984, and at St. Mary Parish in White Swan from 1985-1988. Father Shields retired on July 1, 1997.

Father Shields was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. Shields and Dorothy Shields. He is survived by his cousins, Tricia Suttmann of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Clement Charles Suttmann of Leland, Michigan.

Donations in Father Shields’ memory may be made to the Diocese of Yakima Priest Retirement Fund, 5301-A Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA 98908.