ST. JOHN — Emerson Henry Shields, 92, passed away Jan. 6, 2017, at the Stafford County Hospital. Born Sept. 18, 1924, at McPherson, he was the son of Martin I. and Augusta (Barre) Shields. At the time of Emerson’s passing, he was the oldest practicing attorney in Kansas and owner of Shields Law Office in St. John. He attended a year at Emporia State Teachers College where he played football. He received his bachelor’s degree in speech and his juris doctorate’s degree at the University of Kansas where he was on the track team. On Apr. 19, 1952, he married Jeanette J. (Steiner) at Hoisington. She survives.
Mr. Shields was a World War II United States Army Air Corp veteran, serving as a B-17 bomber pilot at the European theatre. He was a member of St. John The Apostle Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, IOOF Lodge, Lions Club, past president of the Kansas Jaycees and Kansas Bar Association.
Other survivors include, three sons, Byron J. Shields (Amy), of Olathe, Russell M. Shields (Nancy), of Shawnee, and Scott H. Shields, of Lawrence; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Fred and Ivin Shields.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, at St. John The Apostle Catholic Church with Father Michael Klag. Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. on Friday at Minnis Chapel in St. John with a Rosary to follow. Memorials may be given to the USD 350 Education Foundation or St. John The Apostle Catholic Church in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Minnis Chapel*
P.O. Box 34
St. John, KS 67576
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 10, 2017