Gene R. Shields

Gene R. Shields, 82, of Bucyrus died peacefully Monday morning, April 16, 2018 at his home. He was the picture of health and still playing tennis until a recent cancer diagnosis.



He was born June 26, 1935 in Marion, the only child of the late Raymond and Wilma (Spiegel) Shields. They moved to Bucyrus where Raymond had a barber shop and Wilma taught piano lessons. Gene graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1953 where he received The Arion Award for outstanding achievement in the band. It was also in high school where Gene began dating Susan Jo Kehrer. Gene enrolled at The Ohio State University to study dentistry before transferring to Tiffin University and earning his business degree. He and Susan were married in 1956 and his career in banking began in Sandusky with the Third National Bank. Gene then returned to Bucyrus to work for the Second National Bank before moving to Peoples Savings and Loan Co. in 1963. He retired as CEO/Executive Vice President in 1997 and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors until his death.



Gene will be remembered for his orneriness and seldom passing on an opportunity to get one over on his family and friends. He was very gifted musically and played the saxophone and clarinet in the “Esquires” dance band in the 1950s, playing all over Ohio. He loved the outdoors, both locally and being blessed to travel to all the lower 48 states and much of Canada, taking in most of the National Parks and enjoying the western states most of all. He and Susan cherished every moment with their family, going to their games and events, sharing vacations in Myrtle Beach and Florida, and gathering for many epic New Year’s Eve Parties at their home. Gene took tennis as an elective at OSU and it became his passion years later. He played in Lexington every winter and locally when weather permitted, usually for 3 or 4 hours at a time. He taught his children and grandchildren to love the game as well. At home, he loved to walk his dogs and took meticulous care of his yard, Christmas lights, and tropical fish. He was a member of Bucyrus United Methodist Church.



In addition to his wife of nearly 62 years, Gene is survived by his sons, Dean (Sandra) Shields and Steven (Sarah) Shields; four grandchildren, Kelly (Josh) Ard and their children, Hudson and Garrett, Kevin Shields and children, Sierra and Connor, Andrew (Kim) Shields and son, Peter, and Brandon Shields (fiancée Nikki Shepherd) and children, Lucas Gene, Taylor, and Peyton; and his sister-in-law, Linda Rossman.



Friends may gather at Gene’s graveside for his funeral on Friday, April 20 at 1:00 pm in Oakwood Cemetery with Pastor Mike Corwin officiating. Those wishing to make donations in lieu of flowers may make them payable to the Humane Society Serving Crawford County or the Crawford Park District and give through Wise Funeral Service, 129 W Warren St, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820. Memories and photos can be shared on Gene’s Tribute Wall.