Ralph Eugene "Gene" Shields, age 92, of Yale, IL formerly of Mattoon, IL passed away at 6:38 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Willow Breeze Hospice House, Mattoon, IL. He was born July 1, 1932 in Charleston, IL, the son of Ralph Craig Shields and Hazel Dean (Gordon) Shields. He married Betty Louise Tipsword on November 5, 1955 in Corinth, MS. Together Gene and Betty had five beautiful children before her passing at the age of twenty-seven on October 5, 1964. Gene later married Mary E. Dryden on December 6, 1978 in Paris, IL, they shared forty-six years of marriage before her passing on December 1, 2024.
Ralph is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served in the Korean Conflict from 1951-1955. He worked many years for the local labor union out of Mattoon, IL and Decatur, IL. In earlier years, he worked for the Casey Ettelbrick Shoe Company and Pure Oil Company. Ralph attended the Apostolic Center Church, Mattoon, IL were he greatly enjoyed attending the men's group. He was a gent

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