Richard Allen Dilling

Richard Allen Dilling, a long-time resident of Warsaw, Indiana, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at the age of 83. Most recently he had been a resident of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Indiana.

He was born July 30, 1940, in Roaring Spring, to Janet Joan (Clapper) Dilling and John Ealor Dilling Jr.

He married Linda Marlene Edmonton Aug. 17, 1968. This year they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

He leaves behind his wife, Linda M. Dilling (Winona Lake, IN); daughter, Dawn D. (Tim) Halbakken (Ostrander, OH); two sons, John M. (Jessica) Dilling (South Bend, IN); Richard A. (Katie) Barnhill-Dilling (Durham, NC); and five grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Donna Kay Karickhoff (Blacksburg, VA); Suzanne Jean (Mike) Gray (Wabash, IN); and three brothers, Joseph E. (Judy) Dilling (Roaring Spring, PA); Thomas E. Dilling (South Whitley, IN); David L. (Joy) Dilling (Warsaw, IN). He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Karl Karickhoff.

He earned his B.S. in Physics, Math and Chemistry at Shippensburg State College; M.S. in Physics from Purdue University; and Ph.D. in Physics and Science from Purdue University in 1974. Richard spent his lifetime learning and teaching for over 50 years as a Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Science for Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. He taught one year at Central High School. He was a lifelong student of science, math and the Bible.

Richard was a lifetime member of the National Science Teachers Association and the American Association of Physics Teachers. He was a longtime member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. He is remembered by his students for always being available to help them and for his heartfelt prayers at the beginning of each class. Richard was the golf coach at Grace College and loved football and basketball. During his last three years at Grace Village Retirement Community, he enjoyed playing games with fellow residents. He met with friends daily for lunch at McDonalds. Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many who will be dearly missed.

Richard’s life was celebrated with a memorial service on Sept. 1, 2023, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home in Warsaw, Indiana, and was officiated by Pastor Abe Helper and assisted by Tim Halbakken. He will be laid to rest at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to Grace College, 1 Lancer Way, Winona Lake, IN 46590 to go toward the Athletic Department; or to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.