Joe Frank Shields, 74, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away at 10:10 P.M. on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at his home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. Shields was born on Thursday, October 29, 1936 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois the son of the late Derb and Leta (Patterson) Shields. He married Janice Kay (Williams) Metcalf on December 22, 1957 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Surviving family members include his wife: Janice Shields of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; 2 sons: David Joe Shields of St. Peter, Missouri and John Randolph Shields of St. Peter, Missouri; 4 grandchildren: Cassy Ann Shields, Carly Jane Shields, Ryan Andrew Shields and Brianna Nicole Shields all of St. Peter, Missouri; 3 sisters-in-law: Betty Shields of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Phyliss Shields of Wheaton, Illinois and Cindy Williams of Carmi, Illinois; brother-in-law: Bernard Williams and wife Cheryl of Kansas City, Kansas; 3 nephews: Larry Shields and wife Doris of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Harry Lynn Shields and wife Sherry of Largo, Florida and Peter Shields of Michigan; niece: Patty Nikolich and husband John of St. Charles, Illinois. His parents, two brothers: Harry Shields and Jimmy Shields; one brother-in-law: Bryan Williams preceded him in death Joe served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1957 to 1963 in the transportation division. Joe was employed at Security Bank and Trust in Mt. Vernon from 1957 to 1970. He owned and operated Eight Ball Billiards from 1970 until his retirement in 2004. Joe worked part time from September 2010 until he suddenly became ill in April 2011 at SCT Transportation Company. Joe attended Mt. Vernon Township High School and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Mr. Shields was a lifetime member of Mt. Vernon Elks Lodge #819, a member of the Moose Lodge, and a member of Logan Street Baptist Church. Mr. Shields was so proud of his sons David and Randy. His grandchildren were a joy in his life too. He loved to brag about and spend time with all of them as they were all his "buddies". He will be greatly missed by all his family him in death. VISITATION: will be held from 5 to 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. FUNERAL SERVICES: will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Reverend Jimmy Bledsoe will officiate. INTERMENT: Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Logan Street Baptist Church Building Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.