Hal Dane Shields

Hal (Dane) Shields, 63, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, at his Lake Monticello home in Palmyra, Virginia, after an extended illness of 12 years.

Mr. Shields was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 23, 1943. He was the oldest son of the [late] Halbert Dale Shields and Isabel Turner of Belle Center, Ohio. At a young age, Dane moved with his family to Ohio where he grew up, worked and served the Lord before moving to Lake Monticello in June of 1987.

In addition to his wife of 40 years, Vicki, Dane is survived by his mother, Isabel, of Forest, Ohio; two brothers, Gary Shields and his wife, Jody, of Forest, Ohio, and Jeffrey Shields of Forest, Ohio; two sons, Ronald Shields and his wife, Jana, of Palmyra, Virginia, and Kevin Shields and his wife, Amie, of Jacksonville, Florida; two daughters, Lesa Ritchison of Warsaw, Indiana, and Stephanie Gilbert and her husband, Allen, of Barboursville, Virginia. Dane is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Lauren, Riley and Cody Ritchison of Warsaw, Indiana; Breanna and Nathan Shields of Mt. Sterling, Ohio; Halley, Phoebe and Emma Gilbert of Barboursville, Virginia; and Ethan, Hannah and Landon Shields of Jacksonville, Florida.

After graduating from Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio in 1961, Mr. Shields attended Findlay College and New York Tech. He later served in the United States Army and Ohio National Guard. Dane subsequently enlisted in the Ohio State Police Academy, graduating with the 67th patrol training class in Columbus, Ohio in 1965. He then married the former Vicki L. Kinnamon of Chillicothe, Ohio, on September 30, 1967. He served as an Ohio State Highway patrolman, moving throughout Ohio over a period of 10 years and earning the rank of sergeant. He then accepted a position with the Cincinnati Financial Corporation in 1975 as a claims adjuster. After his promotion to claims coordinator, he moved with his family to Lake Monticello in June of 1987. He fully retired in July of 2007.

Dane always felt his most treasured work was his service for the Lord. He was an active member of Gideons International in Ohio and was deeply involved in prison ministry. He was also a past school board member of Marion Christian School and helped found Marion Grace Brethren Church in Marion, Ohio, serving as Sunday School teacher, trustee and elder. Additionally, Dane served as an elder the past four years at Laurel Hill Baptist Church of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Dane would often say his most enjoyable memories were those of helping others. A devout Christian, he loved to sit and talk about the Lord, encouraging others to serve and be involved in ministry. Leading by example, he would model, challenge and exhort family and friends to understand the value of Godly living through faith, trust and power in the Lord. All throughout his life, Dane touched hundreds of people through his honesty, sincerity and dedication to the work of the Lord. He will, indeed be missed by all who have known and loved him.

His family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to the University of Virginia Medical Center doctors and nurses whom carefully monitored his health the past 12 years and to the Hospice of the Piedmont staff. Their love, support and dedication have been very comforting and reassuring to all family members.

A graveside service is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, September 8, 2007, at Monticello Memory Gardens, 670 Thomas Jefferson Parkway (Route 53) in Charlottesville, Virginia. The celebration of his life will continue at 11 a.m. at Laurel Hill Baptist Church, 3575 Grand Forks Boulevard (off Airport Road) in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Flowers can be sent to Hill and Wood Funeral Home of Charlottesville.

Friends may sign the guest book at www.hillandwood.com.