June 1, 1939 — Jan. 4, 2014

Mary Louise Shields, age 74 years of Niles, Mich. died at 3:43 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles.

She was born on June 1, 1939 in Nashville, Tennessee to Charles Andrew and Nettie May (Beecheum) Ladd. She has lived in many communities including Atlanta, Ga. and Fairbanks, Alaska before coming to Niles in 2005. She always enjoyed housekeeping, both at home and helping friends and neighbors. In Niles, Mary was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church.

On May 5, 1968 in Fairbanks she married William H. Shields with whom she celebrated last year the 45th anniversary of their wedding.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Shields; and by her sister, Mildred L. “Mickey” Muntz of Niles and brothers Charles Ladd, Jr. of Ashton City, Tennessee and Harold Ladd.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Parrot and brothers Thomas, Luther, and Edward Ladd.

The family of Mary Shields will gather privately (due to Bill’s health) on Wednesday for a Catholic Liturgy by the Rev. David Otto of Saint Mary Catholic Church. Committal will follow at Mission Hills.

Arrangements were made at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

www.halbritterfunerals.com