Name: Visitation for James W. Preston
Start: 2021-05-14T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-05-14T20:00:00.000Z
Location: Colonial Funeral Home & Crematory

James W. Preston
Born: March 29, 1934 in Chicago, IL
Died: April 29, 2020 in Bradenton, FL
James W. Preston of McHenry passed away on April 29, 2021 in Bradenton, Florida with his loving family by his side. He was 87.
Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 29, 1934, the son of James S. and Marguerite Preston. Jim married Joan Bergdahl in Chicago on March 3, 1956. They moved to Ringwood in 1959 to raise their family.
Jim worked for Specialty Foods in Melrose Park, Illinois for 33 years. He ended his career there as its CEO. Jim was also an accomplished florist, learning that craft from his parents while helping them run Preston's Flowers in Evanston, Illinois.
Jim was also a dedicated community servant his entire adult life. He was a Shriner and Master of his Masonic Lodge. He served on the committee to have Ringwood School join the Johnsburg School District. More recently, Jim presided over the town's Board of Zoning for Ringwood's expansion, and continued serving on its Village Board for six years. He was a youth baseball coach in Wonder Lake and Johnsburg for nearly two decades. He served as a
school board member in Johnsburg for 12 years, and was instrumental in the consolidation of Johnsburg School District 12 upon the creation of Johnsburg High School.
Jim loved spending time with his family and countless friends. He enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad. Jim was very proud of all his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. He loved going to all of their school and sporting events, and never missed a family celebration.
Jim was loved by many and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Jim Preston is survived by his partner, Mary Jo O'Brien; his five children: Robert (Beth) Preston, William (Patricia) Preston, Nancy (William) Dolan, Richard (Juli) Preston, Jeffrey (Jill) Preston; his grandchildren: Steven (Jennifer) Preston, Bradley (Kelly) Preston, Sara McDonald, Marguerite Preston, Kelcie Dolan, Natalie Dolan, Ian Preston, Jonathan Preston, Michael Preston, James
Jeffrey Preston, and Jacob Preston; his great grandchildren: Carter Preston, AJ Preston, Lukas Preston, Jack Preston, Rory McDonald, Brogan McDonald, and Grady McDonald.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Joan Preston; his parents: James and Marguerite Preston, and his sister Betty Jean Frederick.
Visitation will take place on Friday May 14, 2021 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 591 Ridgeview Drive, McHenry, Illinois. Funeral services will take place on Saturday May 15, 2021 at 12:00pm at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 404 North Green Street, McHenry, Illinois. Jim's funeral service will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook via Shepherd of Hills Church.
Due to current CDC Covid 19 mandates, 50 people will be allowed within the funeral home facilities at a single time and all attendees must wear a mask while on funeral home premises.
We welcome everyone who would like to attend but ask that you make your visit brief in order to allow for everyone in attendance to be able to have an opportunity to show their support for the family.
For more information, contact the funeral home at 815.385.0063 or www.colonialmchenry.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Northwest Herald from May 5 to May 11, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for James Preston

Sponsored by Colonial Funeral Home & Crematory.

25 Entries

Bruce Frederick

May 16, 2021

Uncle Jim Rest In Peace. Wish I could have come out to visit you. Remember the good time when Doug and I came out for the summer, one of the best times in my life. Will miss your phone calls the last couple of years. Always considered you like my second father. Love and miss you forever. Say hi to my mom(your sister),Aunt Joan, Janice, and my dad. It will be quite a family reunion.

Karen Bellendir

May 15, 2021

I will always have good memories of Jim and Joan and visiting their home for family reunions. It was always a great time. I will also remember my dad (Ken Michaels) and Jim talking in their Marlon Brando voice from "A Streetcar named Desire" every time they got together. It was always entertaining. I watched Jim's funeral service online along with my parents and thought it was a beautiful service. Jim will always be remembered as a wonderful person to have been around.

Carol Michaels

May 15, 2021

We have so many happy memories with Jim and his family. Family always was so important to him and Joan. Those wonderful years of having our reunions at their house in McHenry will continue to cause us to reflect on all those happy funny times. Not only were we cousins but friends, remembering our many trips together and double dating as teenagers. He was so loved by many, what a tribute to his life. We were happy that he found a wonderful person in Mary Jo, to share his last years with. We find comfort knowing that he has started his "new life" with Christ. "Cuz: Carol and Ken Michaels.

Barbara Ballard

May 14, 2021

I send you Strength and Blessings Barbara XOXO

Keith Gentzen

May 13, 2021

Our sincere condolences to The Preston & O'Brien families. Jim never left in doubt the love for his family and friends. Individually and as a group, we had so many wonderful times together. He will be greatly missed.

Keith & Carolyn Gentzen

Lin and J Dentro

May 12, 2021

Bill and Family

May he Rest In Peace with God. You are in our prayers

Lin and J Dentro

Brian Donald Arnet

May 12, 2021

Alice and I offer our sincere condolences at this time of your loss. May your father rest in peace in heaven.

Diane Peterson

May 11, 2021

Great times in Taos with Mom. Jims memorial will be on her BD. How fitting she just loved him. love you D

Diane and Pete Peterson

May 11, 2021

Feeling great sorrow amid endless and holy and divine joyfulness and gratitude, for the memories you gave us! The good times we had with you and Mary were precious, priceless and too short. You will be missed by so many. Our love and prayers to our sister by heart Mary Jo and Jims Family.

jeanne doyle

May 11, 2021

I've only known Mr Preston for a few years but I will be forever grateful for all of his encouragement during the past year. It was always a pleasure to sit and talk and we will miss him and his wisdom. Our deepest sympathy to Mary Jo and the Preston family. Jeanne Doyle and family.

Bill Hurckes Hurckes

May 11, 2021

Dear Bill, Yvonne and I send our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Losing a parent is never an easy thing to go through. You dad was awesome!! Love you buddy!! Bill and Yvonne Hurckes

Cathy and Larry Radivoy

May 10, 2021

Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to Mary and Jim's Family. We will always remember and miss Jim's warm smile and that infectious laugh and his wonderful zest for life!

Cathy and Larry Radivoy

May 10, 2021

As we read Jim's obituary we can see how his love for family and friends will be deeply missed. He had infectious personality and we will always remember his joy and zest for life!

Dawn Freeman

May 9, 2021

Uncle Jimmy I can't remember the last time I seen you but always loved being at your house when I was a kid I will miss you dearly. Love you

Clark and Sandy Boyer

May 8, 2021

We spent many good times with Jim and Mary when they came to Florida, and will miss his kind and warm friendship always. He so often spoke of his children, grandchildren and entire family with pride and so much love. After meeting his children this past week, we can understand why he was so proud of all of them. We will miss his winning personality and the twinkle in his eye when he would relate the many interesting stories of his life. He was such an inspiration to his family and friends, and we will miss him dearly.

Tom and Char Pieper

May 8, 2021

We just heard of Jim's passing and want to extend our very deepest prayers and sympathy to ALL the PRESTON CHILDREN and their families... We came to Johnsburg as strangers some 40+ years ago and there was Jim and Joan extending a warm and gracious welcome to us into the school where I would be teaching their children and coaching their sons. He truly loved his family and will be missed by all. To all the great memories ...that we will now hold in our hearts and treasure always. May our Lord Jesus Christ give you strength and grace in the coming days., Our love and prayers will be with you.

Nancy Rentner

May 7, 2021

My sincere sympathy to the Preston Family. I was one of the Tuesday morning coffee ladies along with your Mom, Gloria, Doris and Grace. Once in a while we would go to your folks home for our coffee and treats, your Dad would visit with us after he had breakfast on Tuesday mornings with the "boys". He was a true gentleman. May your Dad rest in peace, he is now with your Mom. The two angels will continue to watch over all of you. Nancy Rentner, Antioch, IL

Brad Schmitt

May 7, 2021

My deepest condolences to Bill, Patti, and the entire Preston family. Mr. Preston was one of the good ones for sure! Peace.

Barbie Gray

May 6, 2021

We would like to send our prayers and sympathy to Mary Jo and also to Jim's children. Hoping the good memories you shared throughout the years will bring you comfort. Your Friends, Barb & Bill Gray

Doug Frederick

May 6, 2021

Uncle Jim, thanks for all the memories and the mentoring throughout my life both as a boy and a man. I will miss you deeply. Tell your sister her son says hi. RIP and know you´ll always be loved and in my heart forever.

Maureen Rabito Rabito

May 6, 2021

I had the pleasure to spend time with Jim and Mary while they were here in Florida. Jim was a kind, witty, man who loved his family, his country and his friends. He often talked about his family with the loving pride of a Patriarch. His calmness and courage as he faced his demise will always be an inspiration to me. RIP Jim you are so missed.

Your Friends at Guy Carpenter

Sent Flowers

Sue Tagatz

May 6, 2021

Nancy and family, my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I had the pleasure of meeting your parents while working in McHenry. It made my day when they stopped in. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Cheryl Carpenter

May 5, 2021

My sincere sympathy to all of the Preston family. Jim was such a kind man, and it was my pleasure to have known him. I worked with Joan for many years, and was entertained by Joan and Jim on a few occasions. I worked with Nancy at NICL, and Indirectly with Bob at the hospital. Pretty much knew all the kids in one way or another. A wonderful family. May Jim Rest In Peace, and may God guide you all through the difficult days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Skip Wirch

May 5, 2021

Bill and family I so sorry for your loss. It was always fun up north golfing. You are in my prayers. Again my condolences.

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