Fredrick Preston Jr.'s 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. Visitation Adams Funeral Chapel Sunday, July 28, 2019 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Email Details 2330 SHAWNEE DRCHARLESTON, Illinois 61920 Directions Memorial Service Adams Funeral Chapel Sunday, July 28, 2019 3:00 PM Email Details 2330 SHAWNEE DRCHARLESTON, Illinois 61920 Directions
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