Mary E. Shields (99) of Mattoon

Mary E. Shields, 99, of Mattoon, IL passed away at 4:10 pm on December 1, 2024, at the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon, IL.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Monday December 9, 2024, at the Apostolic Center in Mattoon, IL. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to service time on Monday at the church. The burial will be in the Mullen Cemetery rural Montrose, IL. The Barkley Funeral Chapel in Toledo, IL is assisting the family.

Mary was born in Charleston, IL on September 6, 1925, to Aramis and Jesse (Toops) Dryden. She married Richard H. King and to this union four children were born: Richard, Dawn, Judy, and John. She later married Ralph Shields and with this marriage gained four stepchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Ralph; children Richard “Rick” (Dona) King, Judy (Bert) Ellis, and John (Baby) King; son in law Robert Giroux; brother John Dryden; 37 grandchildren, 12 step grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 14 step great grandchildren, 4 great-great step grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Dawn Giroux; and two brothers David and Jim Dryden.

Mary was a homemaker. She had worked at Brown Shoe Company, and as a waitress. She was a longtime member of the Apostolic Center church in Mattoon, IL. Mary loved camping and travelling. She also enjoyed time spent knitting, reading, fishing and sewing.

Online condolences can be expressed by clicking here.