Stephen Michael Preston, 57, of Columbus, OH, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2007, at The Kobacker House. Steve leaves behind family and so many friends whose lives he touched with his laugh and smile. He was an avid tennis player and golfer and loved to travel to warm climates which allowed him to indulge in both. Steve enjoyed and lived life to its fullest. He was a graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and had retired from the Columbus Police Department after 25 years of dutiful service. He is preceded in death by mother Luvenia M. Preston and father William (Bill) M. Preston, Jr. Steve is survived by his loving wife, Marlaine Preston; step-daughter, Tamara (Michael) Reese; and special grandson, Khadari Vines; brother, William (Linda) Preston III; sister, Trudy (Earl) Bartley; nieces, Jessica and Joanna Preston; and nephews, Christopher and Tyler Bartley; mother-in-law, Anna Nadine Howell; sister-in-law, Kimberly Pierce; brothers-in-law, Michael Baird, Albertus Baird and Steve Parks. Celebration of Life Service 11 a.m., Thursday, June 14, 2007, at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 166 Woodland Avenue. Fr. Jerome Burns, officiating. Mr. Preston will lie in state Wednesday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the chapel of DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long Street and after 5 p.m. at the church, where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Published in The Columbus Dispatch from 6/9/2007 - 6/10/2007.
