Preston Lee Brown

Preston Lee Brown, 78, of Bismarck, IL, passed away on October 20th, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.

Visitation will be on Saturday October 24, 2020 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Northside Church of Christ in Bismarck, IL with a private service following. Please wear a mask if coming to pay respects to the family.

Preston was born in Danville, IL to Elston and Elsie Brown on September 21, 1942. He had two siblings, the oldest was his brother Bryon Brown who passed away in 1968 and his sister Carolyn (Brown) Murray who survives. He went to Bismarck schools. He married Carole (French) Brown on June 10, 1962 in Bismarck. His first job was working for his father at Brown Bros. Hardware which was a legacy family business. He worked for Hyster for 35 years until his retirement in 2001. Preston also had a side business as a tv and antenna repairman for many years. He was also a volunteer fire fighter and EMT for the town of Bismarck where he lived most of his life. He was a member of Northside Church of Christ. Preston was a very creative and talented person. In his retirement he became a self taught woodworker making various types of pieces for family, and then learned the art of wood turning where he made artistic wooden bowls. You could usually find him in his happy place which was his garage workshop turning a bowl, or in his comfy chair watching Gunsmoke or Youtube videos on woodturning. Preston gave the best hugs. He had an infectious smile that everyone loved. He enjoyed family vacations, playing cards, watching any old westerns, and loved watching the Grand Ole Opry.

Preston is preceded in death by his parents Elston and Elsie Brown, and his brother Byron Brown, 2 nephews Michael Murray and Timothy Murray.

Preston is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carole Brown, his daughter Sheryl Ribbe (Jim) of Bismarck, daughter Kim Magee (Glenn ) of Powell, Ohio, son Joe Brown (Tracey) of Mt. Juliet TN, son Jim Brown (Lori) of Mahomet, IL, He had 9 grandchildren: Chelsea Stillwell, Kyley Myers,Tyler Ribbe, Chloe Ehalt, Tanner Ribbe, Amanda Wallace, Max Magee, Jack Brown, Kate Brown, and 2 great granddaughters, Felicity Myers and Etta Ehalt He is also survived by his brother Bryon’s sons Greg, Steve, and Randy Brown as well as his sister Carolyn’s children Jeff Murray, Lori Rainey, and Bill Murray.

Memorials may be given to Northside Church of Christ P.O. Box 199 Bismarck, IL 61814 All memorials will be given to Bismarck Blessings A special thank you to Preston’s life long friend Darrell Hickman at Grady Funeral Home.