Jerry Shields

Jerry Shields, 85, of Palatine, IL, passed away on August 3, 2026. Born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania to Keith Anson Shields and Margaret Bird Shields, he grew up in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.

Jerry attended Purdue University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s degree in Operations Research. Between his degrees he served in the US Navy. He was stationed in San Diego, California, and deployed in the Pacific, visiting Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan. 

While pursuing his Master’s degree, he met his wife, Dianne. They were married on the Purdue campus in 1966 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary shortly before Jerry’s passing. They moved to Evanston, IL, where they lived until moving to Arlington Heights in 1994. In 2020 they moved to Palatine.

Jerry began his career with IBM in Chicago but spent the last 35 years working with Logility. He loved meeting people. He traveled frequently and never took a flight without getting to know the person sitting next to him. He was deeply spiritual and an active church member, first in Evanston at First Presbyterian Church where he served for several years as Clerk of the Session, then in Arlington Heights at First Presbyterian Church. After retirement, he and Dianne found a church home with the Episcopalians at St. Simon’s in Arlington Heights. They volunteered with the Presbyterian church in Africa and Scotland. They enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland, India, Nepal, Italy, Britain, Machu Picchu, and the Galapagos.  

Above all, Jerry was devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife, Dianne; son Derek (Patty); daughter Alison Sardana (Sanjay); son Bryce (Gina Pacheco); grandchildren Natalia, Isabella, and Marcos Shields; Callie and Nikhil Sardana; Enrique Moreno and Brina Shields-Pacheco; and his brother, James.

Service: Saturday, October 3, at First Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights. Visitation at 10:00 am; Service at 11:00 am.