Daniel Shields

A Sharp Street "Shields" boy from the old St. Aloysius neighborhood died Saturday morning, March 25, 2006, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., after this fighting Irishman fought 31 days in ICU to emerge from another aneurysm surgery.

Daniel Shields was one of 11 kids born almost 54 years ago to John Harold and Olga P. Shields. He grew up in the 600 block of East Sharp in Spokane, Wash., where the Gonzaga dorms now stand.

Daniel was a chiropractor in the family business in Newnan, Ga., alongside his wife, Katherine, and son, Joshua, and wife, Sharon.

He loved the northern part of Idaho because, as a child, he spent many summers in the Copeland area where his mother's family lived. Daniel and Katherine fell in love with the south after they graduated and they stayed there to make it their home. They often escaped to Dadeville and roamed all over Martin Lake or down around Gulf Shores.

Daniel's greatest love was his wife and his family. He was a man of many talents and had such a zest for life. He was well-known for accomplishing what he set out to do.

Even though Daniel was an absolute workaholic, when Joel and Charlotte wanted to take a trip, he was ready. With a twinkle in his eye and his hand out to pull you in for a hug, his fun-loving personality absorbed his way into your heart.

Daniel was a people person and lit up a room when he came in. His death has left a mighty big empty space and he will be dearly missed by all.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Katherine; his son Joshua and wife, Sharon, all of Newnan, Ga.; his older brother John and wife, Marilyn Shields of Spokane; his older sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia and Roy McLaren of Gilbert, Ariz., Margaret Huckeba of Great Falls, Mont., Terry McCuin of Bitterroot, Mont., Veronica and John Dennis of Lake Forest, Calif., Anne and Dane Pange of Hayden, Idaho, Jane Shields of Priest River, Idaho, Elizabeth and Tim Heaps of Melbourne, Fla., Joan and Roger Branscome of Porthill, Idaho, and June Ripatti of Porthill; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and in-laws spread coast to coast and overseas.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary McCuin, and her daughter, Pattie; his parents, John (Jack) Shields Sr. and Olga Patricia (Ripatti) Shields; and many aunts and uncles.

His funeral is being held at the McKoon Funeral Home in Newnan at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2006. His ashes will be brought to Idaho and laid to rest at a later date.

At Daniel's request, instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Battered Women's Shelter in Newnan, Ga., in his name.