Donald S. Preston

Donald S. "Donnie" Preston, age 84, of North East, Maryland, died Friday, October 17, 2003, at Perry Point V.A. Medical Center, Perry Point, Maryland. Born in North East, Maryland, on June 16, 1919, he was a son of the late Walter R., and Wilhemina Jones Preston. He was a lifelong resident of Cecil County, Maryland. Donnie retired as a maintenance man from the Cecil County Board of Education. He was a well known craftsman for the people of Cecil County, he could look at a piece of furniture in a magazine and make it without drawings. He worked in sales for International Harvester working for his grandfather, Sylvester Preston, then his brother-in-law, Tom Kay. After working for Mr. Kay, he began working on farm equipment, in sales, and drove a school bus for Benjamin Brothers, Rising Sun, Maryland. He also drove the Sunday school bus for the North East United Methodist Church. He did volunteer work at Perry Point V.A. Medical Center, Cecil County Public Schools working with handicapped children, and he helped students secure monies for their college education. Donnie served in the U.S. Army, with the Co E 115th Infantry 29th Division during WWII. He arrived in the first wave of the 29th Division in Omaha Beach, on June 6, 1944, on the coast of Normandy. He was wounded June 16, 1944, on his 25th birthday for which he received the Purple Heart. He was a lifelong advocate of Veterans rights and fought tirelessly for Veterans who otherwise would not have received their benefits. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 194, Rising Sun, Maryland, V.F.W. Post 6027, North East, Maryland, and the North East Volunteer Fire Department where he would work the Carnival every night. He was past trustee and a member of North East United Methodist Church, North East, Maryland, member of the Cecil County Democratic Club, and the Cecil County Old Times Association. He was founder of the Boys and Girls Club, North East, Maryland, and the North East Little League, where he coached and umpired. He coached soccer, basketball, men and women's softball leagues. Donnie enjoyed young people, he was a boy scout leader and he ran the Chatter Box, for teen dancing in North East, Maryland. He was honored as Citizen of the Year for North East and he was Cecil County's Most Beautiful Person, 1991. In recognition of all of Donnie's life achievements the Cecil County Commissioners as a special dedication proclaimed a "Donnie Preston Day". Donnie is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy Preston, North East, Maryland, children, Donna L. Lattimore, Blacksburg, South Carolina, Connie L. Vaught, Smyrna, South Carolina and, Michael N. Preston, North East, Maryland, four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and, one great-great-grandson. In addition to his parents, Mr. Preston was preceded in death by a son, Bruce G. Preston, who died May 20, 1992. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 22, 2003, at North East United Methodist Church, 308 South Main Street, North East, Maryland. Family and friends are invited to visit Tuesday, October 21, 2003, from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street, North East, Maryland. Rev. Boyd B. Etter, of North East, Maryland will officiate. Interment with full military honors will follow services in North East Methodist Cemetery, North East, Maryland. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Boys and Girls Club of North East, c/o, Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street, North East, Maryland 21901. To send condolences visit, www.crouchfuneralhome.com