UTICA – Ernest Lowell Preston, 80, of Utica, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022 at Licking Memorial Hospital.
Ernest was born Nov. 13, 1942 in Paintsville, Kentucky, to Ernest Hubert and Sara Francis (Butcher) Preston. Ernest graduated from Meade Memorial High School. Ernest served as a crash rescue firefighter in the United States Air Force for eight years. Ernest married Betty Carol Montgomery March 9, 1965. They moved to Columbus in 1965 and Utica in 1975. He was employed as a truck driver.
Surviving Ernest are his wife, Betty (Montgomery) Preston; his sons and daughters-in-law, Ron (Kimberly) Preston, John (Christy) Preston; grandchildren, Kaitlyn Preston, Lauren Preston, Alex (Tyler) Keith, Grant Preston, Michaela Preston, Daniel Preston; step-grandson, Garrett Davis; and great-grandchildren, Kohen Keith, Karson Keith and baby Keith due in April; brother, Gary Preston. Besides his parents, Ernest was preceded in death by his sister Patsy Preston.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Law Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica where a service honoring the life of Ernest Preston will follow at noon, with Pastor Aaron Boggs officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.
To sign an online guestbook, please visit Law-BakerFuneralHome.com.
