Paul Franklin Preston, Jr.

Paul Franklin Preston, Jr., age 72, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025. He was born April 13, 1953, the eldest son of Paul F. and Thelma Mae (Jerrell) Preston. He was married for 50 years to Brenna Lou Griesemer. They married on August 29, 1975.

Paul worked for Community Unit School District 20 as a custodian for 15 years before retiring in 2017. He also worked in construction and on the oil rigs for Marathon Petroleum. He was an avid fisherman and loved attending dirt car racing at racetracks all across the area. Paul was affectionately known as "Junior" to his family and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents and father-in-law, Harold Griesemer, plus numerous aunts, uncles and cousins on both the Preston and Griesemer sides.

Survivors include his wife, Brenna, of Lawrenceville, Illinois; three daughters, Stephanie Preston (Adam Ruston) of Vincennes, Indiana, Jessica (Preston) Alford and husband, Darrell, of Washington, Indiana, and Andrea Preston of Odon, Indiana; two grandchildren, Jason Alford and Ryan Alford, both of Washington, Indiana; one brother, Michael R. Preston and wife, Pam, of Lawrenceville, Illinois; one sister, Linda Thacker and husband, Lee, of Oblong, Illinois; one uncle, Carl Preston and wife, Sharon, of Oblong, Illinois; and mother-in-law, Lucille Griesemer, of Sumner, Illinois; plus loving in-laws, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be Friday, December 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m. at the Lawrenceville City Cemetery.