Thomas G. “T.P.” Preston, 80, passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at SwedishAmerican Hospital in Rockford. Tom was born Dec. 13, 1939 in Rock Falls, the son of Dick and Margaret (Partridge) Preston. He married Karen S. Wolfe. She preceded him in death on Aug. 25, 1996. Tom then married Marcia Ann Stichter on July 3, 2002.
Tom ran an upholstery shop in Dixon for a number of years before becoming a police officer. He started as a patrolman in Dixon before transferring to Rochelle, where he would work for thirty years. Upon retiring from Rochelle as a police sergeant, Tom worked in numerous positions with the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office for 12 years before retiring again. Tom earned a black belt in Isshinryu karate. He loved trips to Las Vegas as well as golfing, shooting guns, and playing pool. He loved being on the water. Tom also found great joy in spending time in his garage tinkering with anything he could find.
Tom is survived by his wife, Marcia Preston; children, Richard (Matt Key) Preston, Susan (William Wallace) Guinn, Nate (Ashley) Preston, Gary “G” Covell, Ben (Brooke) Covell and William (Adrienne) Covell; a fur baby, Princess; grandchildren, Reagan, Rianne, Elizabeth and Carson; a brother, Jim Preston; and a sister, Joann Eberhardt.
In addition to his parents, Tom is preceded in death a brother-in-law, Frank Eberhardt and a sister-in-law, Joyce Preston.
Cremation care has been provided by the Unger-Horner Funeral Home. A police led procession to Lawnridge Cemetery was held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7. A graveside service followed at 11 a.m. at Lawnridge Cemetery. Contributions in Tom’s memory may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established. Please visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.
