Merilyn Marie Tschirhart Fields, affectionately known as "Tootsie", went home with our Lord on November 3, 2026 in San Antonio. Born November 10, 1934 in Castroville, she was a resident of Corpus Christi for the majority of her life, until moving to San Antonio to be closer to family.

After graduating from St. Louis High School in 1952, she attended Our Lady of the Lake University where she majored in teaching in 1956. After brief stints teaching at Northside and Aransas Pass, she served her country by teaching at a DOD base in Germany. She finished her teaching career in Corpus Christi in 1992.

Her greatest love was marrying Carl E. Fields on July 7, 1962 at St. Louis Church in Castroville and raising a family centered around her beloved faith in Jesus and the Catholic Church. She and her family were devoted members of the Corpus Christi Cathedral parish where her grandchildren were baptized. Her deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, brought her and her family to the Schoenstatt Movement. In retirement, she devoted much time to serving with Birth Right in Corpus Christi and attending to her many grandchildren which she loved dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Annetta Tschirhart, her beloved husband Carl; sisters, Anna Louise Hans and Constance “Connie” Rihn Balmos; and her brother, William T. “Billy” Tschirhart, Sr.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Mark and Mary Jean Fields, Amy and Stephen Whitworth, Joe and Deborah Fields, Andy and Donna Fields, and Paul and Melissa Fields along with thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Alfrene Tschirhart; and brother-in-law, Harold Hans.

The family want to thank Landon Ridge for the marvelous care afforded Merilyn and also for Andy Fields and his family for the dedicated service after she moved to San Antonio. Their attentiveness to all her needs is greatly appreciated beyond words.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!

Visitation will be Monday, November 16, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 5:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at St. Louis Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Castroville, Texas.

Memorials may be made in Merilyn’s memory to the Schoenstatt Movement of San Antonio (www.mountschoenstatt.org) or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. www.tondre-guinn.com