Alfred "Al" N. Preston, 94, a longtime resident of Norwalk, Ohio, died on May 14, 2025, at his home.  He was born on August 16, 1930, in Bellevue, Ohio, to the late Newman H. and Marian E. (Hammersmith) Preston and was a 1948 Norwalk St. Paul High School graduate.

Al served his country honorably as part of the United States Air Force during the Korean War.  Prior to his military service he worked for Standard Oil Co., where he was an attendant.  After his military service he worked for Rotary Publishing, later Fair Publishing where he was a Bookkeeper/Accountant, Manager, and Vice President. Recently, he was still serving on the Fair Publishing Board.

Al was a lifelong member of the Norwalk V.F.W., and a fixture for all things related to the Lefty Grove Baseball League.  He was a member for over 63 years, and a lifetime member of their Board of Directors.  He was also an umpire for over 20 years, and for several years at area high school games.  He played an important role in the birth of the league, where field #1 was named after him.

Al was a dedicated and loyal member of the community earning the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce's "Dedicated Service Award", in 1977, and Junior Chamber of Commerce's "P.J. Garcia Award", in 1982.

He loved golf, especially at Willow Creek Golf Club in Vermilion which is owned and operated by his two sons. Al also loved landscaping.

Al is survived by his children, Stephen (Kathy) Preston, of Vermilion, Kathleen (John) Hampton, of Plymouth, and Michael (Jeanette) Preston, of Bratenahl; siblings, Patricia Peschke of Norwalk, Harley (Pat) Preston of Gahanna, Benjamin (Marcia) Preston of Gahanna, and Jean Robron of Norwalk; Al is also survived by many grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and numerous great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Rogers; sisters, Dawn Preston and Carol Krupp, and brother, Leon Preston.

Visitation for Al will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 W. Main St., Norwalk, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.  A funeral Mass will be held the following day, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1322 Settlement Rd., Norwalk, OH 44857 beginning at 1 p.m.  Burial will take place at a later date in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be directed to Norwalk Catholic Schools, 93 E. Main St., Norwalk, OH 44857, or the Lefty Grove Baseball League, P.O. Box 918, Norwalk, OH 44857.  Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting: www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com