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.

Click photo below to enlarge
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