Obituary of Michael R. Preston

Michael R. Preston, 70, of Painted Post, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Chemung County Nursing Facility in Elmira. Mike was born in Hornell, NY on January 29, 1954, the son of the late Donald F. and Ella B. Perry Preston. Raised in Painted Post, Mike became deaf due to illness at a young age. He attended the Rochester School for the Deaf, where he was a 1973 graduate. While attending school there, Mike met his future wife, Marie Van Etten. On June 30, 1979, they were married in Candor, NY. Mike and Marie made their home in Painted Post where Mike was employed for 27 years by the Painted Post Department of Public Works. In the past Mike had been an avid bowler. He enjoyed watching NASCAR as well as the three American sports, baseball, football and basketball. For the last few years, he and Marie were active in the Southern Tier Deaf Club. Surviving is Marie Preston, Mike’s wife of 45 years, his daughter, Audrey Preston of Bath, his son and daughter-in-law, Travis Preston and wife Samantha Mendelowitz of Apex, NC, his grandchildren, Tyrone Riley, Javon Preston, Mataya Riley, Ramona Preston and Monroe Preston, his great grandson, Cyrus Baldwin, his siblings, Donna Price of Bath, PA, Kay (Howard) Houghtaling of Penn Yan, Sherri (Bruce) Kasick of Dallas, NC, Patti Preston (Faye Gill) of VA, Robert (Kathryn) Preston of Laveen, AZ and Larry (Chris) Preston of Mooresville, NC and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Ella Preston and by his brother, Hugh Preston. A Celebration of Life and time of sharing will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 11 am until noon at the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull, NY with burial to follow in Woodhull Cemetery.