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BORN
1940
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
Fredrick Preston Jr. Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL – Fredrick Preston Jr., age 79 of Charleston, Illinois, passed away with his children by his side on Sunday, June 23, 2019. A Memorial Service, honoring and celebrating his life will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston with a Visitation to be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time. A private inurnment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston. Memorials in Fred’s honor may be made to the EIU Foundation with Fred and Sara Jane Preston Award in Nursing on the memo line, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.
Fred was born February 1, 1940 in Kokomo, Indiana and married his high school sweetheart, Sara Jane Brown on February 7, 1959 on the very first weekend available after his 19th birthday. Fred and Susie shared a beautiful life for 54 years before losing her on February 5, 2015. His children, who love, admire and adore him beyond measure; daughter, Kimberly Patterson and son, John (Beth) Preston; as well as four wonderful grandchildren on whom he doted and adored, Colin, and Ryan Preston and Lauren and Jack Patterson; will all miss his wonderful wisdom, high sense of fun, excellent moral conduct and gentlemanly ways. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fredrick and Anna Mae Preston and sister, Beverly Seagraves. Also surviving is a brother, Jerry (Suzy) Preston and sister, Betty (Jim) Gould both of Kokomo, Indiana, whom he loved very much, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Fred – and knew the feeling was equally returned.
Fred’s first job was at Kolux as a sales manager, however he purchased a set of World Books, and when the salesman told him they were the equivalent of a college degree, he finished reading them and decided to enroll in college at Ball State University. He was 21, with a baby and wife, and received his BA and teaching certification. After teaching at Urbana High School, Fred then pursued a Masters and PhD at the University of Illinois. He was an English professor and Student Teacher Coordinator at Eastern Illinois University, a profession he truly enjoyed. He loved his family with all his might, as well as his wonderful friends, cars, house projects, camping, reading, all kinds of music and the arts, travel, photography, community service, good food and wine, but most particularly ice cream, which he and Susie ate every night….a tradition he continued.
Fred was a lover of life, nature, peace and mankind. He was always curious, open hearted and generous to a fault. He suffered from Lewey Bodies dementia, yet to the very end, remained a gentle, sweet and polite spirit to all. He was treasured and loved beyond compare by so many, and truly made a lasting difference in the world of his children, family, friends, colleagues, students and community.
Click here to view Family Memorial Video.
Memories and Condolences
for Fredrick Preston Jr.
10 Entries
Mark/Richelle Heise
July 24, 2019
John, Thinking of you and all of your Family. We send our prayers to you all, wanting nothing put peace and comfort today and always. God Bless.
Jena Strauss-Schoenberger
July 19, 2019
Dear Kim, John and Family ~
My heartfelt condolences during this time of deep loss. It was an honor and privilege to know Fred. I will treasure my memories of the time we spent together. Please know how much he touched my heart. Such a gentleman and kind soul. Thinking of you all and wishing you peace, hope, strength and love.
Gary and Ginny Theisen
July 17, 2019
Fred was a friend of ours since the late 60s when we all lived in Urbana Ill. at the start of our careers. A quiet, deep thinker, we were attracted to him by his humble and empathic approach to relations with others. He was a model teacher and fine behavioral example for his students at both the high school and university level. More importantly he employed all of those skills in raising two wonderful children who manifest the best of his qualities. Of course, it is hard to say "Fred" without also mentioning Suzie in the same clause, conjoined as they were in a close and loving marriage. One did not exist well without the other as became so apparent with Suzie's untimely passing several years ago. In her absence, the glint that was so often in Fred's eye was extinguished--except when presented with a bowl of ice cream!! Fred will be greatly missed by us but we take comfort that he is now freed from the horrible grasp of dementia and its demeaning manifestations. We are thankful for the friendship, many laughs and outings shared with Fred and Suzie; experiences we will continue to remember and expand upon with Kim, John and their families. The qualities of fine people like Fred live on after them. Thankful for his long friendship and saddened by his loss, Ginny and Gary Theisen
Brenda Britton
July 16, 2019
Dear Kim,although I never knew your dad personally,I felt I knew him through you. What a kind & generous soul he was. You were both so BLESSED to have had each other in his lifetime. My heart breaks for you. Dementia is a horrible unforgiving disease that takes our Loved ones way before their time & way before we are ready. Thinking of you & sending lots of hugs & prayers. GOD BLESS sweet girl.
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Brenda Gillooly
July 14, 2019
Kim - You were blessed with two wonderful parents whom you loved dearly. I know you will miss them but you will always hold them in your heart. Prayers for you and your family as you go through this difficult time. It must be some kinda ice cream party in heaven!!! ❤
Cathy Ols
July 14, 2019
Such a beautiful tribute to an extraordinary man. I so appreciated Freds interest in friends old and new. When our son Mark asked him what a college freshman should read for fun...he took a beat and said he couldnt go wrong with Mark Twain. Then, remarkably remembered some time later and asked him what he was reading when he saw Mark again. A small but very meaningful gesture from a dear man.
Carole (Lathrop) Genta
July 14, 2019
Dear Kim, John, and family, please except my sincerest sympathy on the loss of your sweet, wonderful daddy, father-in-law and grandfather. I have the fondest memories of the time I spent with both your parents over the years. They had the most loving and respectful relationship most people would envy. I know I did. He will forever live on in all of you through the life lessons, advice, and love he bestowed on each of you. Your family has been so blessed. Prayers for comfort and peace, I wish for you.
Con and Mary Lynn Whalen
July 14, 2019
John and Family,
We want to offer you all our deepest sympathy. Your Dad and Mom were very kind and loving people. We enjoyed their company and any gathering they were at was improved greatly by their presence. They showed many of us what a true partnership was all about.
May it be some consolation to you that they are together again.
Love and prayers for them and the Preston Family.
Dr. C. E. and Mary Lynn Whalen
Tammy Veach
July 11, 2019
John and family,
I was so saddened to learn of your dads passing. I have fond memories of Fred, first as my professor, then my student teaching supervisor, and finally as my colleague in the English department at EIU. As a mentor and as a human being, he was kind, supportive and generous beyond measure. I loved that wry sense of humor and mischievous grin. May memories sustain you as you navigate your grief and may they bring you to a place of comfort and peace.
Amy Card
July 11, 2019
Fred was a wonderful man. I always admired both he and Susie. They were a match made in Heaven and now they're together once again.
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