Lester Shields

Lester Franklin Shields, 87, of Bettendorf, Iowa, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 24, 2012.

A “home-going” celebration will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 27, 2012 at Calvary Church of the Quad Cities, 4700 53 ^rd St., Moline, Illinois with Rev. Tim Bowman officiating.  Friends may greet the family from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf.  Interment will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery in Lineville, Iowa.  Memorials may be made to the family.

Lester was born in Mercer, Missouri on May 14, 1925 to Millard W. & Elsie M. (Collins) Shields. On September 27, 1942 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Jane Henley in Mercer.  In lieu of a honeymoon, they spent the first few days of their married life working the “cane fields”.  They would have celebrated their 70 ^th wedding anniversary in September 2012.

Lester served his country in the United States Army during World War II, spending time in Japan and other areas overseas.  He had the privilege of taking an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., escorted by grandson, Specialist Matt McIntosh, a member of the United States Army.

He farmed for many years in Mercer County, Missouri.  After losing a hand in a farm accident, his career path changed and he took to the road, working for Ryder Trucking as an over-the-road driver.  He received several accolades for his superior driving record despite his handicap.  He retired from Del’s Iron & Metal in Davenport, Iowa.

He was a man of faith, student of the Word and an awesome prayer warrior.  He was an encouragement to all.  When he wasn’t spending time with family, he loved walking at the park, having coffee with friends at Hy-Vee and playing a mean game of Pitch.  He was a past member of First Assembly of God in Bettendorf for many years and an active member of Calvary Church of the Quad Cities as of late.

He is survived by his wife,  Mary Jane (Henley) Shields of Bettendorf; his children, Donna (Jim) Crossland of Davenport, Diana (Ken) Spranger of Bettendorf, Larry (Jeannene) McIntosh of Johnston, Iowa, Laurel (Paula) McIntosh of McCausland, Iowa, Dave (Betty) McIntosh of Davenport, Lena (Reggie) Freeman of East Moline, Illinois and Letha (Joe) Dolph of Clinton, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by two brothers, Paul (Alene) Shields of Kilgore, Texas and Carrol Dean (Linda) Shields of Mercer.  Other surviving family includes sister-in–laws Marjorie Shields of Lineville, Jean Henley of Mercer, Lucy Hamilton of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Marie (Ron) Johnson of Missouri and Ruth (Orville) Meredith of Bettendorf; his brother-in-laws Phillip Henley and Jim Slattery of Arizona, Glen (Ginger) Henley of LaPlata, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Lawrence Shields; his son-in-law, Bob VanWychen;  and his great-great grandson, Trey Holst.

Special thanks and appreciation are extended from Lester’s family to Bettendorf Health Care and Hospice Compasses for their loving, compassionate care.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Lester’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.