Arthur W. Preston, 85, Leavenworth, Kansas died Sunday, March 24, 1996 at the Dwight D. Eisenhower V.A. Medical Center. He was born May 8, 1910 in the Town of Union to Clinton L. And Minnie Paul Preston. On July 6, 1937 he married Marian Hendrickson, she preceded him in death on August 13, 1940. He had one daughter, Mary Alice by that marriage. On June 9, 1942 Arthur married Rachel Downing, she preceded him in death on July 29, 1983. There were two daughters, Kathryn Ann and Jane Marie by that marriage. On November 29, 1985 he married Marie Green Berg Nyman, she preceded him in death on June 29, 1987.\r\nArthur attended a one room school house on Truax Prairie for his elementary education and graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1928. He graduated with a degree in Social Studies from Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1932. He worked in his family's dairy business and taught school at Pittsville High School for two years before moving to Leavenworth in 1939 for employment with the Federal Penitentiary where he retired in 1973, after 34 years of service. \r\nArthur entered the US Army in July 1942 serving as a Medical Laboratory Technician until his honorable discharge in November 1945. He was stationed most of that time on the Tinian Islands.As a 61 year member of Gideons International he served in several capacities in the Leavenworth Camp and distributed Testaments throughout the area to schools, hospitals, nursing homes and hotels. Arthur was an active leader in the United Brethren Church holding many local and conference level offices and was a Sunday School Teacher for more than 50 years. He served as President of the Kansas Christian Endeavor Society for nine years and continued to support its work and numerous other religious organizations over the years.Survivors include three daughters, Mary Alice (Bob) Hildabrand of Fredericksburg, VA, Kathryn Ann (Roger) James of Westminster, CO, and Jane Marie (Jim) Benson of Collinsville, OK, ; six grandchildren; a brother, Frank (Dorothy) Preston of Eau Claire; and several nieces and nephews.\r\nFuneral Services were held today in Leavenworth,KS. Friends may call 9:30 to 10:45 A.M. Friday at Lenmark-Gomsrud Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 11 A.M. Friday at Lake View Cemetery with Pastor William A. Heins of Truax Congregational United Church of Christ officiating.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Gideons International.

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