Ivan E. “Gene” Preston
June 9th, 1925 - October 19th, 2021
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Gene's Obituary
Ivan E. “Gene” Preston, 96, of Comstock Park, formerly of Stevensville, passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at his home.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, October 25, 2021, at 11AM, at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St.Joseph, MI, with Pastor Rosenbaum officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 10AM until the time of the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made toHoly Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4201 Burlingame Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI49509, or Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel,269-556-9450.
Gene was born on June 9, 1925, to Clair & Pearl(Francisco) Preston in Chicago, IL. He graduated from high school in Portland,Oregon. He then continued his educational University of Oklahoma and played football for the Sooners. He was enrolled in the Naval Officer’s Training Corp (NROTC) and served as an Ensign in the United States Navy. On January 8, 1949, Gene married the love of his life Marlius Heyn in Bridgman, MI. Gene worked asa Computer Programmer for Clark Equipment in Benton Harbor before retiring in 1982.
Gene was always ready for his next adventure. He was a pilot for Civil Air Patrol in Berrien County. He enjoyed hang-gliding, scuba diving and hot air balloon rides. He also loved traveling across 49 States and Nova Scotia in his pickup truck and RV. Gene was commonly found working on his computer reviewing his family genealogy and putting together spreadsheet’s.
Gene is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marlius Preston; daughter Marsha Preston; grandchildren, Dane & Sydney Preston; daughter-in-law Amy Preston; and siblings, Virginia (Gordon) Piper and Carole(Ron) Obermeyer. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Clair & Pearl Preston; son Gary Preston; and sister Lyla Richards.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, October 25, 2021, at 11AM, at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St.Joseph, MI, with Pastor Rosenbaum officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 10AM until the time of the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made toHoly Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4201 Burlingame Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI49509, or Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Rd., St. Joseph, MI 49085.
Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel,269-556-9450.
Gene was born on June 9, 1925, to Clair & Pearl(Francisco) Preston in Chicago, IL. He graduated from high school in Portland,Oregon. He then continued his educational University of Oklahoma and played football for the Sooners. He was enrolled in the Naval Officer’s Training Corp (NROTC) and served as an Ensign in the United States Navy. On January 8, 1949, Gene married the love of his life Marlius Heyn in Bridgman, MI. Gene worked asa Computer Programmer for Clark Equipment in Benton Harbor before retiring in 1982.
Gene was always ready for his next adventure. He was a pilot for Civil Air Patrol in Berrien County. He enjoyed hang-gliding, scuba diving and hot air balloon rides. He also loved traveling across 49 States and Nova Scotia in his pickup truck and RV. Gene was commonly found working on his computer reviewing his family genealogy and putting together spreadsheet’s.
Gene is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marlius Preston; daughter Marsha Preston; grandchildren, Dane & Sydney Preston; daughter-in-law Amy Preston; and siblings, Virginia (Gordon) Piper and Carole(Ron) Obermeyer. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Clair & Pearl Preston; son Gary Preston; and sister Lyla Richards.
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