Leonard Richard Dice

Leonard R. Dice, age 91, of Pittsfield, Illinois, longtime Baptist minister, died on June 19, 2024, at his home in Washington, Iowa, formerly in Illinois and Indiana.  He was born on March 3, 1933, in Moscow, Indiana to Vernie and Lillie Dice.  They preceded him in death.  He was married to the former Sharon Ann Buchanan on March 30, 1956, in Rushville, Indiana, and she survives.  

He is also survived by six sons, Gary Len (wife Pam) Baylis, Illinois; Timothy Paul (wife Sheila), Dunreith, Indiana; John Marc (wife Victoria), Greenwood, Indiana; Kevin Scott (wife Lori), Washington, Iowa; Philip Craig (wife Dora), Trinity, North Carolina; Ronald Gregg (wife Kathy), Knightstown, Indiana.  He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren with another one on the way.  Five of his sons and 3 of his grandsons are also Baptist ministers. He was preceded in death by his son Richard Allen Dice, 7 brothers, 2 sisters and 1 daughter-in-law. 

Mr. Dice entered the ministry in 1958 and pastored 3 churches in Indiana for over 40 years. Upon retirement from the active pastorate in 2000, he served in evangelism and pulpit supply. For the last 20 years he has served as an assistant pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Pittsfield, Illinois where his son Gary Dice was former Pastor. He was the Sunday School teacher for the Senior Citizens, Director of Missions, preached and taught in different areas and published a weekly Christian paper that he begun over 40 years ago. He received his early training at the Cincinnati Baptist College, Cincinnati, Ohio and at the Indiana Baptist College, Indianapolis, Indiana. He earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the Institute of Biblical and International Studies at Ft. Wayne, Indiana and received and honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Faith Baptist College, Athens, Alabama.   He entered the U.S. Army in 1953 and took basic training with the 31st Infantry Division (Dixie Division). After basic training he was transported by troopship to Germany where he served with the 4th Infantry Division in the Intelligence and Reconnaissance (S-2) Section.  Earlier in the life he was involved in newspaper work, having worked for the Rushville Daily Republican, Rushville, Indiana and for Mayhill Publications in Knightstown, Indiana.  Visitation will be held on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Grace Baptist Church in Pittsfield, Illinois, 1500 Lakeview Hts. Pittsfield, IL 62363 followed immediately by a Funeral service at 12:00 pm.  His sons will officiate at the service. 

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted with Niebur Funeral Home, Pittsfield, Illinois. He will be laid to rest at Gray Cemetery, New Salem, Illinois.

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