Obituary for Byron R. "Barney" Preston
<span>BYRON R. "BARNEY" PRESTON, 84,</span><span> of Chester, Illinois, passed away Friday, November 27, 2015 at his home in Chester, Illinois.</span>
<span>He was born to the late Loran and Anna Mae (nee: Bicket) Preston on April 12, 1931 in Belleville, Illinois.</span>
<span>He married Priscilla Griffin on June 1, 1985 at the First Baptist Church in Chester. She survives.</span>
<span>Barney was a retired security therapy aide at Chester Mental Health Center.</span>
<span>He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Chester. He was a Korean War Army Veteran.</span>
<span>In his early years, Preston had been a crop and hog farmer. In the 1960s, he was the mayor of Baldwin and was on the school board for Red Bud District 132, as well as a member of Carpenter Local No. 1361.</span>
<span>He loved doing construction - helping his children build and work on their homes and he volunteered at the Baptist Church doing projects.</span>
<span>During his retirement, Preston enjoyed watching NASCAR and cheering on his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon, all from the comfort of his recliner.</span>
Survivors include:
<span>Wife, Priscilla Preston, and 10 children: Tom (Barbara) Preston (Enterprise, Ala.), Dale Preston (Austin, Texas), Vickie (Donna Janssen) Preston (Austin, Texas), Lori (Al) Galston (Sun Prairie, Wisc.), Jim (Robin) Bert (Creal Springs, Ill.), Scott (Becky) Bert (Chester), Brian (Ronda) Bert (Columbia, Ill.), Sheri (Kirk) Coughlin (Chester), Teri (Darrell) Crum (Chester), Geri Herschbach (Chester)</span>
<span>Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law: Robert & Patricia Tindall (St. Louis, Mo.)</span>
<span>20 grandchildren:</span>
<span>20 great-grandchildren</span>
<span>Preceded in death by</span><span>:</span>
<span>Parents, 1 son - Randy Bert </span>
Funeral Service:
<span>10 a.m, Tuesday, December 1, 2015</span>
<span>First Baptist Church, Chester</span>
Officiating:
<span>Dr. Mike Fogerson</span>
Interment:
<span>Baldwin City Cemetery</span>
<span>Baldwin</span>
Visitation:
<span>Monday - 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.</span>
<span>Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester</span>
<span>Tuesday - 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.</span>
<span>First Baptist Church, Chester</span>
Memorials:
<span>First Baptist Church Remodeling Fund</span>
<span> </span>