Shields Funeral Home was established in 1935 by Joseph W. and Frances H. Shields. The firm was located in two Forest homes before moving to the present location at 301 S.Patterson Street. During the early years of 1935 thru 1945, visitation to the bereaved was conducted in the home of the deceased, with the casket placed in the front parlour. The casket was moved to the church on the day of the funeral service.
To meet the need for a larger facility where family and friends might gather, Joseph purchased the Dickelman home on Patterson St. in 1947. Shields Funeral Home was one of the first area funeral homes to introduce the use of memorial folders as a remembrance of the deceased. The firm also provided ambulance service to the area until 1974. William H.Shields joined the business as an Embalmer/Funeral Director in 1968 and assumed control in 1984. Shields Funeral Home continues to build on a 72 year tradition of service, caring and dignity.
In 1999, Shields Funeral Home was the 1st area Funeral Home to offer online obituaries and online condolences through their web-site.
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 Joe Shields in 1935 |  Forest Centinnial Parade-1954 |  Joe & Fran Shields- 1982 Tree Town Festival Parade Grand Marshalls |  Bill & Pat Shields- 1999 Tree Town Festival Parade Grand Marshalls |  Joe & Fran Shields- 1937 |
 Shields Family- 1946 ( Fran, Joe, Bill, Patty Jo ) |  Joe & Bill Shields- 1952 |  Bill & Pat Shields- 1967 |  Anne Shields- 1986 Riverdale Marching Band |  Tricia Shields- 1989 Riverdale Varsity Football Cheerleading Squad |
 Joe & Fran Shields Family at their 50th Wedding Aniversary Celebration- 1987 |  Bill & Pat Shields- 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1992 ( Tricia, Bill, Pat, Anne) |  Bill Shields Family- 1995 ( Pat, Bill, Anne, Ryan, Tricia ) |  Bill & Pat Shields- 1964 Riverdale Junior-Senior Prom |  Robert S. Wilson- Mayor of Forest |
 Joseph L. Shields |  H. Dale Shields |  Burle B. Hune |  Fred Hune |  Shields Funeral Home- 1915 |
 Shields Funeral Home Construction- 1916 |  Forest Athletic Club- 1913 |  Lizzie Dickleman- Builder of Shields Funeral Home Facility |  2007 TreeTown Festival Community Spirit Award | |
