Versal Shields Obituary (2013)

Versal Alexander Shields left this earth to be with his Heavenly Father July 1 with his loving family around his bedside. Versal was born May 9, 1927, in Pine Canyon, Utah, to Versal Shields and Mary Agnes Sagers. He served a mission in the Eastern States Mission, covering at that time New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He served in the Army in Korea as a sergeant at the end of World War II between 1945 and 1947. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 32 years. He was a loving father and grandfather. He loved fishing and hunting although he hated to shoot the deer because they were so beautiful. So he just went along to socialize with the guys. He loved music and was a beautiful singer and a wonderful dancer. He married Gaylene Roberts on Jan. 9, 1963, and they just celebrated their 50th anniversary. He has nine children, 38 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He loved to take the kids for rides on the 4-wheeler. For several years he was a coach for little league baseball and loved coaching the kids. He never forgot them. He and his wife served for 18 months in the Texas Dallas Mission. He is survived by his wife and children Kenn Lee (Peggy) Shields, Shelly Vario (Dennis, deceased), Larry Shields, Shaun (Krissy) Shields, Crystal Lawrence (Chuck), Chad Shields, Brandon Shields (Valerie), Brooke Castagno (Brett), and Eric Shields (Lara), and his sister Helen Rivers (Percy, deceased). She is now the only living sibling out of nine. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Donna Dixon, Dora Barnett, Ruth Pitt, Lowel Shields, Alvin Shields, Anna Palmer, Agnes Benson, and grand-daughter Kirsti Marie. A special thanks goes to Johnny and Mary Pitt, who took such good care of him. Funeral services will be on Monday, July 8 at 11 a.m. at the Tooele Stake Building, 255 S. 200 East. A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St. and at 9:30 a.m. at the church before the funeral. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Versal Alexander Shields please visit our Sympathy Store.