Clarence “Kelly” Shields age 90, of Janesville, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Mercy Hospital in Janesville. Clarence was born on the Shields family farm on Malancthon Creek, Henrietta Township, Richland County, WI; the son of Timothy Thomas and Clara (Michels) Shields. Clarence’s grade school years were at Peterson School - a one room school. He did homework by oil lamp, as they had no electricity until 1949 and also no indoor plumbing. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1952.
Clarence worked at Badger Ordinance in Baraboo until Uncle Sam said “I WANT YOU!” He served in the U.S. Army 2 years and was honorably discharged in November of 1958. Clarence started working at Fisher Body in November 1959 and retired from GMAD, 40 years later. He was a member of UAW Local 95.
On December 2, 1967 Clarence married Joanne Marie Brown - the girl across the street - at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Janesville. Clarence spent many hours reading magazines and doing word search puzzles. He enjoyed watching the birds and the squirrels at the feeders and provided a heated bird bath in winter. He also loved spending time with his grand dogs Cubbie and CJ.
Clarence lived 33 years as a friend of Bill W., ONE DAY AT A TIME. “You can’t keep it, if you don’t share it.”
He is survived by his wife of 57 years Joanne Shields; his son, Tim (Jennifer) Shields; brother, Bernard (Joanne) Shields; siblings in-law: Chet Brown, Brad Munger and Lori Brown; and numerous extended family and friends. Clarence is preceded in death by his parents, Timothy and Clara Shields; parents in-law, Merritt “Brownie” and Regena Brown; siblings: Gerald (Florence) Shields, Patrick (Irene “Bunny”) Shields, Rose Marie (Gaylord) DeWeese and Marcella (Gaylord) Liska; and siblings in-law: Tom Brown, Dale Brown, Barbara (Larry) Nichols, Colleen Munger and Ruth Brown.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024 at the Nativity Of Mary Catholic Church; with visitation held from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Urn committal will immediately follow Mass at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Wesley Ave Alano Club (in memory of Clarence Shields), 1833 Wesley Ave., Janesville, WI 53545. Schneider Funeral Directors is assisting his family. For online condolences and guestbook, please visit: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com
Don’t cry because I’m gone,
smile because I was here.
