Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Rev. Richard “Dick” W. Anderson, 97, entered his eternal rest on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Grace Village Health Care in Winona Lake. A wonderful husband, father and grandfather, he spent his long life in faithful service to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Dick was born on Sept. 3, 1928, in Peru, Ind., to Cloy Anderson and Lucretia DuBois Anderson Hale. He grew up surrounded by the love of both his parents and his stepfather, Aubrey Hale. Dick spent his childhood in South Bend, Indiana, where he graduated from John Adams High School.
He was a Korean War veteran proudly serving in the U.S. Army. Dick later served as a lieutenant colonel in the Indiana Guard Reserve as a chaplain.
Dick earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Indianapolis. While pursuing his studies, he served as the pastor of a church near Wabash, where he met his future wife. On Jan. 1, 1953, he married Reva Grossman and they were blessed with 73 years of marriage. Together they raised their three children, who were the joy of their lives.
After graduating from the University of Indianapolis, Dick received his Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in Kentucky. During his seminary days he founded the Wayside Christian Mission in 1957. In recognition of his work in starting the mission, the governor of Kentucky appointed him a Kentucky Colonel. Dick served his Lord as pastor of Winona Lake Presbyterian Church in Winona Lake from 1963-1969; and founded the Parkway Baptist Church in Fort Myers, Florida, in 1971 where Dick and Reva spent their retirement years. He had the distinction as the first staff chaplain at Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw and when he and his wife moved into Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake where he continued serving his Lord as a volunteer chaplain.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Reva Anderson, Winona Lake; two sons, David Anderson, Bemidji, Minn.; Leonard (Jerri) Anderson, Fort Myers, Fla.; and his daughter, Debbie (Bob) Snizek, Winona Lake. He also leaves behind 11 beloved grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Carolyn; one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
Dick’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 9 at The Chapel at Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, and officiated by his son, Pastor Leonard Anderson. Family and friends may visit an hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. A private family graveside service will take place on Thursday, April 2 at Palestine Cemetery in Palestine. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Memorial donations in Dick’s memory may be directed to Parkway Baptist Church, 6211 Briarcliff Road, Ft. Myers, FL 33912.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
