Loretta Lillard

Loretta Lillard was a caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She left this world on Aug. 8 , 2025.

Loretta Lillard, born May 12, 1934, in Danville, Illinois to Buford and Mary Etta (Dumas) Shields.

At an early age, Loretta (known as Lo to family and friends) professed her faith in Christ. She attended St. Patrick Catholic School and Church in Danville, then attended Schlarman High School and graduated in 1952. In Indianapolis, she attended St. Andrew Catholic Church.

On April 28th, 1957, she married Jesse Eugene Lillard who proceeded her in death on January 4th, 1979.

Lo, moved from Danville to Indianapolis, Indiana. In Danville, she was employed in 1968 at Illinois Bell, then transferred to Indiana Bell / AT&T in Indianapolis 1979 and retired in 1989.

Lo leaves to cherish her memories of five children Sharon K. (William) Grundy, Jesse E. Lillard, Gayle L. Lillard, Lori A. Lillard, Joyce M. (Cornel) Stewart, 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Her siblings are Buford F. (Bo) Shields, Jack W. Shields, Barbara J. Pinner, Beverly L. Hendricks, all of Indianapolis, IN and Robert (Bobby) H. Shields of Chicago, IL.

Lo loved her family and would do anything she could for them especially her grandchildren.

Her husband, parents and siblings Irene Parker, Delorese M. Savage, Charles E. Shields, Mary E. Malone, Howard E. (Gene) Shields all proceeded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. August 18, 2025 at Leek And Sons Funeral Home, 304 E. Williams St. Danville. Entombment will be at resurrection Cemetery.

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