John Fields , a lifetime resident of Benton County, passed away at home after a long health battle. On February 1, 1988, John began working at Buchanan Farms as a farmer, a servant of the earth & made it his career. Farming was in his blood. He ate, drank & slept farming. If John was not on a John Deere combine or tractor, or hauling grain, he was giving back to his community. John first served the Otterbein Fire Department in the Spring of 1988 until 1991. He then moved to the Boswell-Grant Township Fire Department in 1992, where he stayed until his death. While there he had served as past President, Secretary & Assistant Fire Chief. John was also involved in Benton County's 4-H program from the age of 10 & was rewarded with his 10-year membership in 1986. He continued to volunteer through the years & encouraged his children to participate. He & his wife also served as 4-H leaders for 2 years. John was the EMA Director of Benton County from 2009-2019, earning the honor of Indiana Emergency Management Director of the Year in 2011. Additionally, he served as a Benton County Commissioner for District 1, elected in 2023.

If you knew John, you knew he loved to have a good time which included singing karaoke or dancing a jig & with a little help from a tall beer or a Jim & Diet. This was how he met his beautiful wife, Molly. Her rendition of 'Goodbye Earl' that night back in 2001 caught his heart strings & he never let her go. This year they had celebrated 22 years of marriage. John was a proud father of 3 Sons (Eric, Kit & Bailey), Daughter (Nichole) & a bonus Daughter (Gabby). But his Grandchildren were the apples of his eye. He loved taking them out on combine & tractor rides.

John Fields lived a good, honest life as a farmer, father & servant to the community. He will never be forgotten.

John E Fields, was born February 28, 1968, in Lafayette, IN to Doris (Trueblood) & the late Herbert F Fields. He was a 1986 graduate of Benton Central High School. In addition to his Mother, Doris, he is survived by his Wife, Molly (Bailey) Fields; Sons, Eric Fields, Kit Luce (Amy McDermit), Bailey (Hailey) Luce; Daughter, Nichole Luce & bonus Daughter, Gabby Luce (Jason Brandenberg); Grandchildren, Amelia, Judson, Dylan & Serenity; Brothers, Jeff (Jean) Fields, Jerry (Linda) Fields, Mark (Teresa) Fields & Jason (Jamie) Fields & several Nieces & Nephews.

John had 2 final requests for those in his life. 1st, NO FLOWERS! THEY ARE A WASTE OF MONEY!! Instead, he requests that you make a donation to The John Fields Memorial Scholarship which will benefit high school seniors & adult learners pursuing degrees or certifications in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, EMS, or Fire Science. These donations can be sent to the Benton Community Foundation at PO Box 351, Fowler, IN 47944 or online at https://bentoncf.org/donate/. John's 2nd request, he asks guests of his memorial service to wear, Fire, Agricultural or Carhartt T-shirts, hats or bibs; if you've got'em! Don't dress up, absolutely NO suits & ties, he hated that.

A Celebration of John's Life will be Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 12 PM until Memorial Service at 2PM, with food & fellowship from 2:30 until 5 PM, at the Boswell-Grant Township Fire Department, 307 W. North St., Boswell. Shoemaker Funeral Home, Otterbein, is assisting John's Family. Visit Shoemaker Funeral Home- Otterbein, Indiana Facebook page or www.shoemakerfh.com to leave any condolences or to share a memory or photo of John.