James E. Shields, Jr.
Age 89, of Penn Hills, on July 18 2017. Jim’s Loving wife of 59 years , Florence B. Shields died May 14, 2017. He is survived by his daughter Linda C. Andrews, sons James E. Shields III and Bill Shields; step-son Robert D. Niekum; grandsons Todd J. Smith and Jared E. Smith; great-grandchildren, Sophia, Sarah, Myles, Marin; and brother Gerald Shields
Jim served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Reserves. He worked as a project engineer for steel companies in Cleveland and Pittsburgh then later for the Internal Revenue Service. Jim’s Favorite hobby was meticulously carving, to scale miniature models of United States Navy Ships. Jim and his wife, Florence, were active members of Zion Lutheran Church in Penn Hills. Jim served as an usher, worked in the church’s community room during and following events, and regularly visited members who were unable to participate in church activities. Following the end of the Vietnamese conflict, Zion sponsored four friendly Vietnamese sailors who were sent from San Francisco to a Pennsylvania military camp. Phat Nguyen was welcomed into the Shields’ home and lived with the family for five years. Services will be Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 3 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, 11609 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills, PA 15235.