Russell Martin Shields

Russell Martin Shields, 70, passed away peacefully with family by his side September 10, 2026 in Overland Park, Kansas at Brookdale College Square Memory Care. He was born in St. John Kansas to Emerson and Jeanette (Steiner) Shields.

Russell grew up in St. John, where he excelled in debate, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and was a National Merit Scholar in high school. He played on the basketball team which took first at State his senior year. Russell went on to play basketball at Hutchinson Juco and Emporia State University. At the University of Kansas, he completed a Juris Doctorate and Masters in Business. He worked as a Bank Trust Officer in Hiawatha, Kansas, where he met his future wife, Nancy Moore. They married in 1986, and were blessed with a son, Patrick. Russ later worked in banking in Ponca City, Oklahoma and Kansas City. With a servant’s heart, he was a dedicated community leader with church youth groups, Boy Scouts and Kiwanis Clubs. While in Ponca City he was a valuable contributor to several company and non-profit organizations, serving on their board of directors.

After many years in banking, Russ transitioned to the field of education. He taught high school classes in business, computers, yearbook and Project Lead the Way. He was always passionate about photography and enjoyed filming school sports and events. Russell returned to St. John High School, where he completed his teaching career.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Scott. Surviving family members include his wife Nancy of Shawnee, son Patrick of St. John, brother Byron (Amy) Shields of Olathe, and an aunt, Joan Steiner-Adler of Olathe. Russ loved his cousins, nieces and nephews as well as his hometown, college and life time friends. He was devoted to his Christian faith and family, and had an immeasurable sense of gratitude and forgiveness.

Russell was diagnosed with Fronto-Temporal Degeneration (FTD) in 2022. FTD is a terminal brain disease with no cure. Despite personality changes along with cognitiveand physical deterioration, he retained his extraordinary positive spirit.

A memorial service will take place at Minnis Chapel, St. John, 11:00 a.m., Saturday October, 17, 2026, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow the service at Fairview Park Cemetery, St. John, KS. Memorials may be made to the St. John the Apostle Catholic Church or the Association for Fronto Temporal Degeneration both in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 34, St. John, KS 67576.