Phyllis I. Preston, 85, formerly of Springfield, passed away Thursday, July 14, 2016, in Mary Rutan Hospital, after a brief illness.
She was born Jan. 31, 1931, in Logan County, a daughter of the late Willard and Laura Lease Bell, and was a graduate of West Mansfield High School.
Phyllis graduated from the Springfield City Hospital School of Nursing as an licensed practical nurse in 1951, and began her career in nursing at City (later Community) Hospital.
She met James Preston while he was a patient in the hospital and they married in 1954. Phyllis later earned her registered nurse degree from Clark State and eventually retired with more than 35 years in nursing, all at Community Hospital. Phyllis was a member of First Christian Church in Springfield.
Following her retirement, she remained active in the Literacy Program, helping adults learn to read, and worked with the mentally handicapped. In 2004, Phyllis moved back to Bellefontaine, the last five years at Heartland.
Phyllis always loved to knit and crochet, which she continued to do, as well as being very involved in all activities at Heartland, interacting with the staff and helping other residents.
Phyllis was the oldest of 10 children, and never let her siblings forget it. She is survived by sisters, Patricia Griner of Toledo, Zella (James) McCutcheon of Springfield, Mo., Dorothy Price of Rushsylvania and Nancy (Tom) Robertson of Newfoundland, Canada; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Preston, in 1997; sisters, Mary Jane Bell, Frieda Hofner and Mabel Ellen Bell; and brothers, Thomas and Donald Bell.
Visitation is one hour prior to a service at 2 p.m. Monday, July 18, in the Richards, Raff & Dunbar Funeral Home, Springfield. Burial follows in Rose Hill Burial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.