Joyce E. Shields, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother

BOLIVAR — Joyce E. Shields, 90, of Bolivar, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) at the Wellsville Manor Care Center, after a short illness.

Born Sept. 12, 1935, in Andover, she was a daughter of Ronald A. and Bertha Brown Stephens. On July 12, 1956, in Allentown, she married Richard E. Shields, who predeceased her Aug. 13, 2017.

Joyce was a graduate of Allentown Union School in 1953.

She had worked for ACME Electric in Cuba, the Valley Manor Rest Home in Allentown, Bowl-O-Var Lanes in Bolivar and last in the dietary department at Olean General Hospital, where she retired.

Joyce was a longtime member of the Allentown Methodist Church.

She was an avid bowler and bowled for 35 years at Bowl-O-Var Lanes; loved to play bingo; and was a member and past president of the 4C’s Senior Citizen Club.

Joyce always enjoyed transporting her peers to their various appointments and spending time with her family when they would gather together.

She is survived by her children, David (Stacy) Shields of Alma, Bradley (Vicki) Shields of Scio, Jeffrey (Sara) Shields of Lyons and Janna (Dennis) Smith of Wolcott; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Judy Stephens of Penfield; two brothers-in-law, Bill Pacetti of St. Augustine, Fla. and Robert Shields of Alma; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a grandson, Curtis Shields; a great-granddaughter, Raegyn Shields; her brothers, Eldon (Lois) Stephens and Walter Stephens; and two sisters, Norma (Phil) Taylor and Linda Pacetti.

The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until noon today (June 20, 2026) at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 554 S. Main St., Bolivar.  Funeral services will begin at noon in the funeral home with Pastor Jennifer Grimes officiating. Following the service there will be a luncheon at the Allentown Methodist Church, 5815 Main St., Allentown. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joyce’s memory may be made to the Allentown Methodist Church.