LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

John's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

MADISON - John Sheild, beloved husband for 66 years of Jean and father to children, Thomas and Stephen Powers and Peter and Carolyn Sheild, entered God’s Eternal Presence on April 16, 2025.

John was born on January 19, 1931, to Mary (nee Crissman) and Rexford Sheild in Salem, S.D. Raised by his loving parents in this small rural community, John’s happy childhood and high school years led him on many adventures - paper carrier and magazine seller, grocery store stocker, soda fountain ice cream scooper, local theatre ticket seller, taker, usher and popcorn bagger, plus bowling alley pin setter. While still in high school, he played football, basketball, and ran track. He worked for the South Dakota Historical Society for three summers excavating Native American villages.

Following his graduation in 1949, he entered the University of South Dakota where he set the school record in the two-mile, was in the Army ROTC, and graduated in 1953 with an English degree and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. It was during his college years that he met Rev. Robert Midgley, the Pastor of the Congregational Church in Vermillion, S.D. Through Rev. Midgley’s encouragement and because of his work with A Christian Ministry in the National Parks at Yellowstone National Park during the summers of 1951, 1953, and 1954, John decided to make ministry his life work.

John attended Andover Newton Theological School from 1953 to 1957 and graduated with a Master of Divinity. It was during seminary that he met the love of his life, Jean Powers, and her two sons, Tom and Steve. They were married on July 12, 1958, and moved to Redfield, S.D., where John had been called to be pastor of the First Congregational Church. Pete and Carolyn were born during this pastorate. In 1966, the family moved to Madison, Wis., where John was called to be the Associate Pastor of Lake Edge United Church of Christ and reunited with Rev. Midgley.

One of the highlights of his ministry was organizing and leading 27 high school workcamps to different national parks and inner-city locations. His ministry-whether immersed in God’s creation with his youth group, sharing the Good News from the pulpit, or meeting people where they were at with his kind and gentle presence-helped people experience Christ’s love. He wanted every person he met to know they were valued. He shared his love for people through many community organizations-CROP, the East Y, Kiwanis, and the East Madison Coalition for the Aging to name a few.

Following Jean’s retirement in 1992 from 20 years of teaching elementary school in Madison and his own retirement in 1993, they enjoyed traveling, watching Badger games, gardening, and serving on the National Advisory Council of A Christian Ministry in the National Parks. Their greatest joy came from family gatherings and celebrations when love, hugs, and stories were shared.

John is survived by his wife, Jean; their children, Thomas Powers (Pat), Stephen Powers (Jane), Peter Sheild (Christa) and Carolyn Sheild; and his grandchildren, Katherine Powers (Jon) and their children, Simon and Nora; Emily Dahl (Ben) and their children, Peter and Sofie; Elizabeth Powers, Ashly Sheild, Alexandra Nortman (Brad), and Rexford Sheild (fiancée, Nicole).

Memorials may be made to A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (ACMNP), 9250 E. Costilla Ave., Suite 203, Greenwood Village, CO, 80112, or at https://acmnp.com/donate/online-donation/ in John Sheild’s name.

A celebration of life will be at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Family and friends who wish to view the celebration via LIVESTREAM may visit John’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on “Watch Now” in the Webcast section. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

Rev. John M. Sheild

January 19, 1931 - April 16, 2025

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