Robert U. "Bob" Preston, 83, of rural Alger, died at 4:21 p.m. April 2, 2013, at the Lima Memorial Health System, of complications following open heart surgery.

He was born Jan. 20, 1930, in the home he lives in today, the son of William M. and Merle E. Crowe Preston, who preceded him in death. On July 15, 1951, he married Mary K. Clark, who survives. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage.

Other survivors include three daughters, Cheryl (Jim) Eckinger, of Bolivar, Deb (Dick) Eley, of Wapakoneta, and Cindy (Larry) Underwood, of Alger; nine grandchildren, Michael Eckinger, Jason (Joyce) Eckinger, Jared Eckinger, Matthew (Erika) Eley, Sarah (Kevin) Bill, Brett Eley, Kelly (Tom) Nienberg, Lucas (Holli) Underwood and Rob (Michelle) Underwood; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Sandra (Roger) Newfer, of Kenton, Marva Lou ( Bob) Hooper, of Springfield, and Don (Shirley) Preston, of Ada; sisters-in-law, Vida Preston, of Dunkirk, and Sharon Preston, of McGuffey.

He was preceded in death by sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen (Dennis) Hensel, Jeraldine "Jerri" (Chuck) Kahler, & Rosaline Preston; and brothers, Bernard and Irvin Preston.

Bob, along wife his wife Mary, owned and operated the McGuffey Hardware for 55 years. He also operated an excavating business, owned the Scioto Trucking Co., and worked at Ex-Cell-O Corp., Lima. In his younger years, he raised livestock. He was currently serving as a Marion Township Trustee and had been a member of the Upper Scioto Valley High School Board of Education. A 1947 graduate of McGuffey High School, Bob was a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks Lodge 157, Kenton , and former member of the McGuffey Volunteer Fire Department.

Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Ada. Pastor Don Holbrook will officiate. Burial will be in the Preston Cemetery, Alger.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the McGuffey Volunteer Fire Department or the Alger Volunteer Fire Department.