Phyllis I. Preston

Phyllis I. Preston, 85, formerly of Springfield passed away Thursday, July 14, 2016 in Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine after a brief illness. She was born January 31, 1931 in Logan County the daughter of Willard and Laura (Lease) Bell and was a graduate of West Mansfield High School. Phyllis graduated from the Springfield City Hospital School of Nursing as an LPN in 1951, and began her career in nursing at City (later Community) Hospital. She met James Preston while he was a patient in the hospital and they married in 1954. Phyllis later earned her Registered Nurse Degree from Clark State and eventually retired with over thirty-five years in nursing, all at Community Hospital. Phyllis was a member of First Christian Church in Springfield. Following her retirement, she remained active in the Literacy Program, helping adults learn to read, and worked with the mentally handicapped. In 2004, Phyllis moved back to Bellefontaine, the last five years at Heartland. Phyllis always loved to knit and crochet, which she continued to do, as well as being very involved in all activities at Heartland, interacting with the staff and helping other residents. Phyllis was the oldest of ten children, and never let her siblings forget it; she is survived by sisters Patricia Griner of Toledo, Zella (James) McCutcheon of Springfield, MO, Dorothy Price of Rushsylvania, OH, Nancy (Tom) Robertson of Newfoundland, Canada; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband James Preston in 1997; sisters Mary Jane Bell, Frieda Hofner and Mabel Ellen Bell; brothers Thomas and Donald Bell. Visitation will be Monday from 1-2 PM. in the RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR MEMORIAL HOME. Services will be held Monday at 2:00 PM. in the Memorial Home with burial to follow in Rose Hill Burial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.