Betty Preston

Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Preston, age 87, of Kendallville, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at her home. Betty was born in Kendallville, Indiana on March 14, 1936 to the late Forrest and Leoma (Stonebraker) France. She graduated from Avilla High School in 1954 and married her soulmate, Jerome David "Jerry" Preston, on August 27, 1955 in Kendallville. Jerry preceded her in death on October 2, 2013. She was employed for many years by Dr. John Shank Family Dentistry in Kendallville. She also worked at CVS, and she loved her job in the cafeteria at Kendallville Middle School. What a gem she was! If you knew Betty, she always had a smile on her face and she was always willing to help others. If she wasn’t at home cooking, you could find her at a ball game somewhere. She loved going to games whether it was outdoor football, soccer, softball, baseball games or track, or in the gym watching basketball or volleyball…she loved them all!  Betty was an avid East Noble Knight supporter, and she loved her EN blue & gold!  She also loved working outside in her yard and taking care of her family. Betty loved her hometown and the community she lived in all her life. She was an active member of Tri Kappa for years where she served as an officer in many positions. She volunteered many hours at the Friendship Food Pantry and helping at Trinity Church making dinners. To know her was to love her. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include:
Daughter, Pam and Wayne Baker of Skinner Lake near Albion.
Son, David and Lori Preston of Kendallville.
7 grandchildren including Lindsay Wabika of Albion; Jeremy and Kylee Baker of Kendallville; Nicole and Jimmy Colter of Kendallville; Kayla Preston of LaOtto; Trevor and Maddie Yates of Kendallville; Samantha and Tyler Yates of Albion; and Jena and Matt Strowmatt of Avilla. 14 great grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Leoma France; husband, Jerry Preston; daughter, Amy Preston Yates in 1997; sister and brother-in-law, Jean and David Baker; and sister and brother-in-law, Janice and Ted Fleisher.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 29, 2023 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home in Kendallville.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Church United Methodist with Pastor Drew Baker officiating the service. There will be visitation at 10:00 AM prior to the service.
Burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery. Her grandsons will carry her casket. 
Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Church, Friendship Food Pantry or American Cancer Society. 

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