Maria Preonas Castleman

Maria Preonas Castleman, age 80, of Oakwood, Ohio, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025.

A deeply loving wife and mother. Beautiful, kind, elegant, gracious, artistic, creative, stylish, funny, and generous are just a few of the words that describe her. Everything she did was original. Maria was born in Dayton, Ohio, on September 10, 1945, to the late Louis and Mary Preonas. She grew up in Oakwood and graduated from Oakwood High School, class of 1963. Maria graduated from Stephens College in 1965 and studied abroad with the College Year in Athens program. She earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree at Ohio State University in 1968. Maria worked for the family business, BlueBird Baking Co., and later moved to Chicago where she was a faculty member of the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. While in Chicago, she met a true southern gentleman, Stanley Castleman. They married in 1972, and settled back in Oakwood, where they raised their two children. Maria’s strong faith was central to her life. She was a lifelong member of the Dayton Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. She was a constant presence in the life of the Church, and was a dedicated Sunday School teacher for more than 40 years. As a past Chapter President, dearest to her heart was the philanthropic work of Dayton’s very active Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. For over 50 years Maria dedicated herself to local charitable organizations. Her service included positions on the boards of the Wright State University Foundation, Opera Guild of Dayton, Dayton Ballet, Junior League, Church Women United, and the Aullwood Audubon Center. She also enjoyed volunteering at The Little Exchange nonprofit boutique. Maria was active in other organizations that shared some of her varied interests. She enjoyed gathering friends and hosting at Moraine Country Club. A longtime member of the Four Seasons Garden Club, she was a knowledgeable and dedicated gardener until Oakwood’s scourge of urban deer took over. Her green thumb also extended to orchids and involvement with the Miami Valley Orchid Society. In the Friday Afternoon Club, Maria loved researching and presenting to the ladies, always bringing enthusiasm and a unique perspective. Maria was a true gourmet, and delighted in gathering friends and family with warm hospitality at the dinner table. Her hospitality was extended through her business, Byzantine Baking, a certified home bakery. Maria was a joy to know. Her energy, words of wisdom, sense of humor, and most of all, her kindness and love will be most remembered. Maria is preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Mary Preonas, and her husband of 41 years, Paul Stanley Castleman. She is survived by her son Louis, daughter Mary, three brothers, Demetri [Ann], Diamantis (Monty) [Kathy], and George [Aileen] Preonas, and numerous extended family and godchildren. A visitation will be held from 2-4 PM on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Road, Dayton, Ohio, 45429. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Monday, November 24, 2025, at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park North, Dayton. Interment at Woodland Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at Routsong.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Annunciation Memorial Fund.