Dean A. Preston

Born November 20, 1924 in Pekin to Walter B. and Norma E. (Schleder) Preston, he married Alberta Jean Doris on February 20, 1954 in Peoria. She died November 8, 2020 in Chillicothe. He also was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Walter James Preston and one nephew, James Bryant Preston.

Surviving are two nephews, Bradley (Margaret) Preston of New Orleans, Louisiana and Richard (Marilyn) Preston of Tampa, Florida; one niece, Dr. Barbara (David) Preston-Broesder of Las Cruces, New Mexico; six grandnephews; two grandnieces and many dear friends who were like family to him.

A 1942 graduate of Pekin Community High School, Dean, along with his brother, voluntarily entered the United States Army service ahead of the draft. He served with the 927th Signal Battalion, Separate, Tactical Air Command in Rome-Arno, France, Rhineland and Central Europe during World War II. He served as a radio man, attained the rank of Corporal, and was part of Operation Dragoon, supporting an invading force landing in Southern France in August of 1944 and also the Battle of the Bulge. In August of 2023, he was awarded the French Legion d’honneur, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a person who accomplishes great deeds for France. Dean was also grateful to have been on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

In 1949, Dean graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, where he was a member of Acacia Fraternity.

Dean was employed by the American Distilling Company in Pekin for 28 years, serving as a bottling superintendent; he continued in that capacity for Midwest Grain for seven additional years, retiring in 1987. Since that time, Dean has worked as a dedicated funeral service assistant at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory as a greeter and, in earlier years, driving the funeral coach. He last worked on December 2nd.

Dean was a 12-year member of the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Patrol; a 72-year member of Empire Lodge 126, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Illinois in Pekin and a member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44. He also was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria and Heart of Illinois Shriners. He was a former member of the Pekin Barbershop Chorus, youth counselor with Junior Achievement and the Drum Sergeant with the Shrine Kiltie Band in Peoria.

Dean was a former member of First Christian Church in Pekin.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Steve Weber will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, where Masonic rites will be conducted at 6 p.m. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral. Inurnment will then be at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Prairie Haven Cemetery, with military rites provided by the United States Army and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707 and Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to the staff of the hospice home and OSF St. Francis Medical Center for the special care extended to Dean.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com