Derrill E. Shields

Derrill E. Shields departed this life peacefully on December 14, 2014, at age 100. with his wife of 76 years by his side. He was born to James & Allie Shields on November 17, 1914, in Laconia, IN.

Derrill graduated from Purdue School of Engineering in 1936 and began his career at Guide Lamp in Anderson. In 1938 he married Grace Langdon, his Laconia High School classmate, and they lived in Anderson until the beginning of World War II.

After Army training in Oklahoma, Michigan, & Wisconsin, he was sent overseas to serve as a civil affairs officer with the 3rd Division in central Europe. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as Lt. Colonel.

After the war Derrill spent ten years with Indiana Glass in Dunkirk, returning to Delco Remy Plant Engineering in 1956. After his retirement in 1974, he and Grace traveled far and wide throughout the U.S.A., keeping in touch with relatives and visiting their children in CA, NY, and VA, and also spending the winter months in FL.

Derrill is survived by his wife Grace, his daughter Janet (William) O’Connell, his son David (Nancy) Shields, and his daughter Jacqueline (Jeff) Odell. He has six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Clella Ann Lopp, of Salem, and a brother, Trewhitt Shields, of Decatur AL, and many wonderful nieces & nephews with greats and great-greats. He was preceded in death by another brother, James D. Shields of Laconia.

Funeral services will be held 1pm Friday at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory with Pastor Kevin Bausman officiating.

Visitation will be two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.

Entombment will be at Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.