Everett John Shields, 87, of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, passed away at his home early Monday morning, April 17, 2017.

A Funeral Liturgy for Everett will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church with The Reverend Kevin Koch officiating. Interment of his cremated remains will follow at Pine Bluffs Cemetery.

Shields was born July 1, 1929, near Havensville, Kansas, the fourth of five children of the late William and Helena (Gunther) Shields. He came to Wyoming in the summer of 1947 to pursue his desire to work on a large western cattle ranch. He was first employed by the Kelly Ranch on Muddy Creek, southwest of Pine Bluffs. He returned to Kansas and graduated with the Class of 1948 from Havensville High School. In September 1949, he began his work for the Gross-Wilkinson Ranch of Pine Bluffs, and has been in their employ until his death. Shields was a veteran of the United States Army, and was stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Working on the ranch was his joy. He was a life-long learner and historian, who cared to understand much about his adopted community and the people of Pine Bluffs.

Shields and Shirley Seligman were married April 7, 1956, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Pine Bluffs. Both were active parishioners throughout their married life. They celebrated 40 years of marriage before her passing in September 1996 at the age 63. During his younger years, Shields was a member of the Jaycees who built the original fence at the Pine Bluffs rodeo arena.

He is survived by two children, John William Shields and his wife, Janelle, of Boulder City, Nevada, and Mary Anne Ackatz and her husband, Donald, of Burns, Wyoming. He is also survived by five grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley in 1996; brothers, Jerome in 1999 and William in 2008; and sisters, Rosanna in 2011 and Mary Ellen on April 16, 2017.

Services and cremation are under the care of Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line at www.schradercares.com.


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