SHIELDS, Leonard Wayne

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona - 11/21/2003 Wayne Shields, 66, died on Veteran's Day Nov. 11, 2003 at Spearfish, South Dakota. Wayne was born Leonard Wayne Shields Aug. 29, 1937 at Fort Thompson, South Dakota to Mark and Doris (Coler) Shields. He attended school in Fort Thompson through his sophomore year. He attended his junior year in Springfield High School, where he was selected to attend Boyís State, and graduated from Pukwana High School in 1956. He received a diploma from Haskell Junior College in 1958. During his summers, he worked on several significant archeological projects with the Smithsonian Institute and the University of Kansas. Wayne enlisted in the Army in 1960, and spent most of his three year tour of duty in Germany. He was honorably discharged as a Specialist 4th Class in 1963, and was in the Army Reserves until 1966. On April 18, 1964, Wayne married Jan Westendorf in Chamberlain. They had three sons, and raised a niece as their own. He worked at Chilson Refrigeration, and later worked at northwestern Public Service. In 1980, the family moved to Arizona, and Wayne worked at the Indian Health Service at the Whiteriver Service Unit for 12 years, until he opened a repair shop in Pinetop. In 1996, the family moved back to South Dakota. Wayne became ill in 1992, and it became necessary for him to reside in the Walker Assisted Living residence in Spearfish, SD in the fall of 1998. Wayne loved hunting, horses, NASCAR racing, and his family. He was a member of the Chamberlain Volunteer Fire Department during his years residing there, and also belonged to the Lion's and Legion Clubs. He is survived by his wife, Jan of Chamberlain; sons Scott (Tracy) of Whiteriver, Dan of Pinetop, and Ken (Laura) of Duluth, Georgia; daughter Tina Emerson (Chris) of Winterhaven, California; brothers Mark of Chamberlain and Del of Pukwana; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces; nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother Ed. Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 20, at the St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain with burial in the Pukwana Cemetery at Pukwana, South Dakota.