Alfred Preston Obituary

Alfred N. "Al" Preston

Aug 16, 1930 - May 14, 2025

Norwalk

Alfred "Al" N. Preston, 94, a longtime resident of Norwalk, died Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at his home. He was born August 16, 1930, in Bellevue, to the late Newman H. and Marian E. (Hammersmith) Preston and was a 1948 Norwalk St. Paul High School graduate.

Al served his country honorably as part of the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Prior to his military service, he worked for Standard Oil Co., where he was an attendant. After his military service, he worked for Rotary Publishing and later Fair Publishing, where he was a bookkeeper/accountant, manager, and vice president. Recently, he was still serving on the Fair Publishing Board.

Al was a lifelong member of Norwalk V.F.W. and a fixture for all things related to Lefty Grove Baseball League. He was a member for over 63 years and a lifetime member of their Board of Directors. He was also an umpire for over 20 years and several years at area high school games. He played an important role in the league's birth, where field No. 1 was named after him.

Al was a dedicated and loyal member of the community, earning the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce's "Dedicated Service Award" in 1977 and Junior Chamber of Commerce's "P.J. Garcia Award" in 1982.

He loved golf, especially at Willow Creek Golf Club in Vermilion, which is owned and operated by his two sons. Al also loved landscaping.

Al is survived by his children, Stephen (Kathy) Preston of Vermilion, Kathleen (John) Hampton of Plymouth, and Michael (Jeanette) Preston of Bratenahl; siblings, Patricia Peschke of Norwalk, Harley (Pat) Preston of Gahanna, Benjamin (Marcia) Preston of Gahanna, and Jean Robron of Norwalk. Al is also survived by many grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Rogers; sisters, Dawn Preston and Carol Krupp; and brother, Leon Preston.

Visitation for Al will be from 4-6 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2025, at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk. Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1322 Settlement Rd., Norwalk, OH 44857. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contribu-tions may be directed to Norwalk Catholic Schools, 93 E. Main St., Norwalk, OH 44857, or Lefty Grove Baseball League, P.O. Box 918, Norwalk, OH 44857.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com