Marlius M. Preston

Marlius M. Preston, 97, of Comstock Park, Mich., formerly of Stevensville passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at Covenant Village, Grand Rapids, Mich.

A celebration of life service will be at 11 am. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Road, with Pastor Stephen Schamber of Wyoming, Mich., officiating. Burial will follow in Lincoln Township Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding Inc., 3777 Rector Ave NW, Rockford, MI 49341. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Marlius was born on Aug. 20, 1928, in Bridgman, to Edward and Lydia (Hemming) Heyn. She graduated from Bridgman High School in 1946. On Jan. 8, 1949, she married the love of her life, Ivan "Gene" Preston, in Bridgman. The two were happily married for 73 years before his passing in 2021. Professionally, Marlius worked as a bookkeeper for Combined Insurance until she retired in 1982. Following retirement, Gene and she would pack up their travel trailer and travel throughout North America visiting 49 states, Nova Scotia and Mexico, living their life by the motto "On the road again!" She was incredibly talented when it came to sewing and quilting; she was known for making and gifting her quilts to family and friends. However, what Marlius loved the most was spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Marlius is survived by her daughter, Marsha Preston of Comstock Park; grandchildren: Dane and Sydney Preston; sisters: Marion (Donald) Burch of Bridgman and Karen (Ronald) VanderMeer of St. Joseph; and daughter-in-law, Amy Preston.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Edward and Lydia; husband, Gene; son, Gary Preston; and sister, Barbara Lee Heyn.