Lois M. Shields Obituary (1917 - 2016)

Lois Marie Shields, 99, of Normal, IL died November 25, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington, IL.Private inurnment will be at St. Johns Cemetery in Benson, IL. According to the wishes of the deceased, there will be no visitation.Lois was born September 4, 1917 in Carlyle, Illinois to Roland and Pearl Gariepy Plotts. She married Robert Edward Shields on February 18, 1938 at St. Patricks Church in Wapella, IL.Lois graduated from Carlyle High School in 1935. She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications at Illinois State University in 1976. Mrs. Shields was a kindergarten teacher from 1968 to 1988 at Flanagan Grade School Unit 4. After she retired from teaching, Lois was office manager at the Mendocino County Observer in Laytonville, CA from 1989 to 2010.Always an active citizen, Lois was instrumental in adding the Benson Water Tower to the National Register of Historic Places. She served on the Village Board that established Benson Community Park. Lois was Past President and 70 year member of American Legion Auxiliary 454; past member and Past Chairwoman, Woodford County Democratic Womens Organization; Lifetime member, Illinois Retired Teachers Association; lifetime member, Illinois Education Association-National Education Association; past member, Benson Historical Society; and past member, St. Johns Altar and Rosary Society.Lois was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her siblings Pauline Kueper, Verna Singleton, Jane Garrett and Roland Plotts.Lois is survived by her six children, Robert Edward, Jr., James, Thomas (Judy), Patricia, John (Nasrin), and Kevin. Also surviving are her ten grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.Lois was a genuinely amiable soul. Her legacy lives in the memories of her family, her friends, generations of former students, and countless others she encountered during her life.