Georgia Ann Shields

Georgia Ann Shields departed this life at Freeburg Care Center, Freeburg, IL on Sunday, May 19, 2024.  She attained the age of 84.  Georgia was born on November 3, 1939, in Bolo Township, Posen, IL.  The daughter of Ignatius and Wanda, nee Barczewski Geppert.  She was united in marriage to Leslie Shields on June 25, 1982, in St. Charles County, MO.

Georgia graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in August 1973. She was a Sister in the Franciscan Our Lady of Perpetual Help Order.  Georgia was an Elementary Teacher and was an active Sacristan most of her life.  She loved teaching and the children loved her.  In her teaching career as a Sister, she taught in several states, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, and Nebraska.  Georgia came back to St. Louis and left the order in 1978, however she continued teaching at her parish school.  After retirement, she continued volunteer work at her parish in St. Louis, MO.

She was preceded  in death by her parents; her husband, Leslie Shields; her sisters, Aileene (Gilbert) Greten and Shirley (Fin) Finanger; her brothers, Germaine Geppert and Stanley Geppert; brother-in-law, Bob Henry; her sisters-in-law, Judy Geppert and Marlene Geppert; nephew, Douglas Geppert, and niece-in-law, Karen Miller.

Left to mourn her passing are her 7 siblings, Maxine Henry of St. Genevieve, MO, Sister Marlene Geppert OSF of St. Louis, MO, Pat Miller of New Athens, IL, Eugene Geppert of Nashville, IL, Robert Geppert of Nashville, IL, Howard Geppert of Nashville, IL, and Hazel (Scott) Biggs of Coulterville, IL; 2 sisters-in-law, Hattie Geppert of Oakdale, IL and Gail Geppert of El Segundo, CA; brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Joseph Catholic School, Freeburg, IL or to the donor’s choice.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, IL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Freeburg, IL, with Fr. Von Deeke officiating.

Per Georgia’s wishes, she was cremated, and her cremated remains will be interred with her husband, Leslie Shields, at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.  

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