Arthur "Pete" Fields

1945 - 2025

Arthur "Pete" Fields, 79, of Glen Carbon, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2025, at home surrounded by family. Born August 8, 1945, in Granite City, Illinois, he was the beloved son of the late Arthur and Patricia Fields of Venice Illinois.

Pete went to St. Mark's grade school in Venice and Venice High School where he excelled at baseball, basketball, and track, graduating in 1963.

Pete was drafted by the United States Army in 1966. Prior to starting his military basic training, Pete married the love of his life, Gloria Jean (Ponce) Fields, at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Venice, Illinois on a warm winter day on December 26, 1966. Their 58-year marriage was a beautiful testament to enduring love, mutual respect, and unwavering devotion.

Pete served his country with honor in the United States Army 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One") during the Vietnam War from March 1967 to March 1968. Pete's convoy was attacked during the Tet Offensive in February 1968 killing several of his fellow infantrymen. Pete sustained multiple wounds to the head and body but immediately engaged in a defensive position and put defensive fire to protect the remaining men in his convoy until the attack was repelled and the wounded could be tended to, including himself.

Pete was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart with V-device for Valor for his bravery and sacrifice.

Before being drafted, he attended Murray State University, and following his military service, he earned a degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Pete worked as an auditor for AAA Missouri, and as a distributor for Charles Chips in southern Illinois before beginning public service as the Madison County Auditor from 1979 through 1988. Pete ran for United States Congress Representative for the 21st District and narrowly lost to long time congressman Mel Price in 1986 and retired from public service in 1988 after making a 2nd unsuccessful run for the 21st District Representative.

Pete and Gloria then became successful private sector real estate developers, risking all of their savings developing the 60-acre Fields Crossing subdivision of upscale residential homes in Glen Carbon and then the Sherwood on the Lake subdivision, also of Glen Carbon. Both are successful beautiful neighborhoods.

Throughout his life, Pete was known for his friendly demeanor, integrity, work ethic, and deep commitment to family and community. He served as Glen Carbon Rotary Club President providing service to the community and with New Opportunities of Granite City providing resources for adults with developmental disabilities and on the Chamber of Commerce.

Pete had a passion for golf and loved watching baseball and fishing with his grandchildren. Above all, Pete was a devoted family man who cherished every moment spent with his loved ones, especially his grandchildren, who brought him immense pride and joy. Pete will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving and supportive father, a proud grandfather, and a loyal brother. His legacy of kindness, strength, and compassion will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

In addition to his parents, Pete was preceded in death by his brother, John "Jack" (Mary Kay) Fields; his sisters-in-law, Cindy (Tom) Fields, Matilda (John) Mannina, Ann (Joe) Graklanoff, Margie (Frank) Greenwald, Josie (Andy) Miofsky, and Dolores (Don) Parente; and his brothers-in-law, Oscar (Sophie) Ponce and Robert (Ina) J. Ponce.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Gloria Jean (Ponce) Fields, of Glen Carbon, Illinois; his sons, Matthew J. (Janice) Fields, of Edwardsville, Illinois and Eric P. (Nicole) Fields, of Glen Carbon, Illinois; his grandchildren, John, Charles, Allyson, Joel, and Nylah; his siblings, Thomas Fields, Mary Ann (Richard) George, and Elizabeth (Rick) Hooks; his sister-in-law, Mary Kay Fields; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Donations toward a memorial bench for Arthur Pete may be sent to Gloria J. Fields, 118 Sherwood Drive, Glen Carbon, IL 62034 or via VENMO to Gloria Fields - VENMO address @Gloria-Fields-6.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Outlet Event Center (Edisons), Edwardsville, IL on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m., 2477 S. State Rte. 157, Edwardsville, IL 62025.

Interment with full military honors will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Family and friends are invited to gather at Irwin Chapel, located at 591 Glen Crossing Road, Glen Carbon, Illinois, at 11:00 a.m. that morning. The funeral procession will depart for the cemetery promptly at 11:30 a.m.