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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Michael Preston
MICHAEL PRESTON
Central City
Michael Don Preston, 68, died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at his home in Central City. His death was due to various illnesses caused by his exposure to Agent Orange during his tour in Vietnam. A Celebration of Life will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. His cremains will be added to the wall-crypt, with military honors, in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Adel at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12.
Mike was born Aug. 4, 1946, to Mildredge "Jinks" and Libbie Rose (Zrudsky) Preston, in Oklahoma City, Okla. He was a graduate of the class of 1964 of Washington High School. Mike served in the Army from 1966 until 1968. He worked many years in the meat packing industry, but the work he was most proud of was that as a finish carpenter for Grigsby Construction of Lisbon, Iowa. Thank you Perry, Joe Dave, Steve and Jon for the comradery of those years. Many homes in the Cedar Rapids vicinity bear his craftsmanship.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Malinda, of Central City; his mother, Libbie Schild of Cedar Rapids; his daughter, Michelle (Scott) Burkhart of Cedar Rapids; his stepsons, Wayne Mantz of Colorado, Stephen Mantz of California, Gary (Brandi) Mantz of Texas and Michael (JoAnna) Mantz of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his brother, David Preston of Oklahoma; his sister-in-law, Penny Preston of Cedar Rapids; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Mike was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Gary Preston.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. More thanks to Ivan, Matt, Michael, Scott and Paul for those memories. He was proud that the next generation will keep the tradition going.
The friends he made throughout his life, Patrick, Jamie, Pops, Barry, Ron, Wickman, Dick, Charlie, so many others, sweet memories all.
Memorials in Mike's name may be directed to The Ghosh Center for Oncology & Hematology, 1951 51st St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.
Please share a memory of Mike at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.
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