Helen L. (Wharton) Shields Thomas

   Helen L. (Wharton) Shields Thomas, 91, of McVeytown, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Valley View Haven in Belleville.
   Born Feb. 11, 1930 in Newton Hamilton, she was a daughter of the late Cloyd T. and Izetta M. (Harter) Wharton.  Her husband, Ralph F. Thomas, preceded her in death on April 11, 2000.
   Also preceding her in death was her first husband, Kenneth E. Shields; a son, Thomas E. Shields; and a granddaughter, Andrea Lightner.
   Surviving are:  four children, Charles E. Shields of Montana, Kenneth W. Shields Sr. and wife Sumana of Columbus, GA, Donald L. Shields of Shirleysburg, Peggy M. Lightner of Evans City; a stepdaughter, Sharon Copenhaver and husband Lou of McClure; three sisters, Jean Sunderland of McVeytown, Dorothy Rittenhouse of McVeytown, Linda Mengle and husband David of Berwick; six grandchildren, Christopher, Kim, Kenneth Jr., Chasity, Sherri, Lori; 11 grandchildren, Caydn, Bryson, Josh, Jake, Emily, Megan, Joel, Kristopher, Karson, Korbin, and Micah.
   Helen worked on the family farm early in life, then drove school bus and worked in the cafeterias of the Mt. Union Area School District.  She later became an LPN employed at Lewistown Hospital.
   She was a member of the Atkinson Mills United Methodist Church and volunteered with the Newton-Wayne Fire Co. auxiliary.
   A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at Harshbarger Funeral Home, 3 South Market St., McVeytown, with Pastor Brian Myfelt officiating.  Interment will be in the Atkinson Mills United Methodist Cemetery.
   A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the funeral home.
   Memorial contributions may be made to the Newton-Wayne Fire Hall, c/o Steve Barrick, P.O. Box 3, Newton Hamilton, PA  17075.
 

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