John C. “Sonny” Fields, born on March 12, 1934, in Connersville, peacefully passed away on November 13, 2024, at the age of 90. John was a man deeply rooted in the values of community, work, and family. He will be remembered as a man of quiet strength, who knew the value of hard work, and who deeply loved his family.

Growing up in Connersville, he graduated from Alquina High School with the class of 1952.  John served his country with honor in the U.S. Army, instilling within him a sense of discipline and duty that carried through to his civilian life. On a snowy Christmas Eve in 1955, he married JoAnn Fitzgerald Fields, a union that would span decades, filled with love and shared dreams until her passing in 2018.  Together, they raised their children, Kimberly Fields Duffy and Timothy Fields, instilling in them the values of hard work, compassion, and love.

His work ethic was reflected in his long tenure at Visteon, where he worked for 47 and a half years.  John’s contributions to the company and his tireless spirit earned him respect and admiration from colleagues and friends.

John was a man of faith, active in the Alquina Church, where he found joy and purpose in serving God and his community. He was a member of the Masons, reflecting his commitment to principles of brotherhood and charity. His support for the E.W. Tatman Foundation underscored his dedication to his community. 

John enjoyed working on the family farm, raising many crops and cattle.  He was an avid golfer and enjoyed bowling and church league softball.  

John was predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, JoAnn, his parents, Gladys Reed Fields and Francis Fields, his brothers, Duane, Bernard, and Darryl Fields, and a grandson, Nicholas Fields. 

John leaves behind a legacy through his surviving family– a daughter, Kimberly Fields Duffy (John), Timothy Fields, granddaughters, Katherine (Ryan) Swininger, Elizabeth (Adam) Sadler, Allison (Duncan) Barr, Olivia (Zach) Shank, and a grandson Nate (Bri) Fields; great-grandchildren, Luke, Isabelle, and Riley Swininger; Jett and Harper Sadler; Lexi and Oliver Barr; Mason and Jenson Shank; Blakely Fields.

Family, friends, and community members celebrated John’s life at Miller Moster Robbins Funeral Home on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Funeral services immediately followed visitation at 1 p.m.  Interment was at Union Cemetery in Lyonsville.

In moments of reflection, we take comfort in the words, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John’s heartful contributions and unwavering love created a legacy that will be cherished and remembered by many. As we bid farewell, we remember that God saw John getting tired, and with gentle compassion, He put His arms around him and whispered, “Come to Me.”

Those wishing to honor John’s memory may do so by making donations to the Tri-Kappa for the benefit of the E.W. Tatman Foundation or the Alquina Blue Arrows Park. The steadfast spirit of John C. Fields will continue to inspire and guide the lives of those he touched.

 In losing John, we are reminded of the profound impact one life can have.  

Paid obituary.