Carol A. Shields

Born November 19, 1938 in Sigourney, Iowa to Raymond and Kathlyn (Dwyer) Adrian, she married Harland K. Shields on June 11, 1960 in Fairfield, Iowa. He survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Doug Shields of Pekin and Dave (Lori) Shields of Naples, Florida, one granddaughter, Katelyn (Austin) McDougall of Pekin; three step grandchildren, Alex Golden, Ted Golden, and Cassandra (Daniel) Freed-Pastor; one great-granddaughter, Sarah Freed-Pastor; one brother, Jerry (Judy) Adrian of McFarland, Wisconsin; two nieces, Carrie (Mark) Danner and Kristen (Dominic) Whiston and one nephew Denver (Juleen) Adrian.

Her parents preceded her in death.

Carol retired as a broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Olt & Griffin Realtors in Pekin. A leader in her profession, Carol was a past president of the State of Illinois Association of Realtors, Pekin Area Association of Realtors and had served on the board of directors of the National Association of Realtors. Carol began her working career as an x-ray Technician at Pekin Hospital after earning an Associate’s Degree from St. Joseph Hospital in Ottumwa, Iowa. As one of Pekin’s biggest cheerleaders, she also served as Executive Director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 2001.

Volunteerism was at the forefront of Carol’s life. She served as chair of the Pekin Hospital Board of Directors, Pekin Hospital Foundation Board and was a catalyst for the numerous projects at Pekin Hospital. She was a founding member of the Pekin Transportation Committee, which helped bring the Veterans Drive corridor to fruition and was a past president of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, a past chair of the Pekin 1st Committee and a longtime emcee for the Puttin’ on Pekin Breakfasts. She served the City of Pekin on the Human Rights Advisory Board and on the Economic Development Advisory Committee. Carol was a longtime member of Kiwanis, SCORE and had served as a Cincinnati Township Trustee. She was a Fourth of July Fireworks organizer in Pekin and a past grand marshal of the Pekin Marigold Festival. She had served on the boards of the United Way of Pekin, Advanced Medical Transport, Commerce Bank Advisory Board and vice-president of the Highland Woods Board. She was a former volunteer with Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts, Build Pekin, Newcomers, Cancer Fund and the Junior League. Most of all, Carol was devoted to her family and loved to travel and read.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin.

Her memorial Mass will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 13, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek will officiate. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 12, 2021 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Cremation will be accorded.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Unity Point Health-Central Illinois Foundation at 5409 N Knoxville Avenue, Peoria IL 61614 or online by visiting Unitypoint.org/centralillinois and selecting Pekin Memorial Hospital in the designation.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com