August 30, 1934 – November 25, 2022
Leslie Dale “Les” Pence, 88, Sheridan, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Les was born on August 30, 1934, in Ft. Wayne, Ind. He was the son of the late Charles Laver and Nellie Dell (Karns) Pence.
Les was a graduate of Columbia City High School with the Class of 1952. He went on to attend Morehead State University where he received a full-ride scholarship into the School of Music program. He graduated in 1956 with a B.A. in Music Education. While at Morehead State, he was in a quartet that toured around the state and was honored as official “Kentucky Colonels” by the Governor. He would later go on to earn a M.Ed. degree and an Ed.S. degree from Indiana University. Les served in the U.S. Army Reserves where he spent his service time performing with the U.S. Army Band.
After his service in the Army, he took a position with Shipshewana Schools in 1957. This move led him to meeting the love of his life, Martha Ann Prough. Les and Martha were married on June 7, 1958. They were married for 64 years. Les and Martha had three sons, Randy, Terry, and Mike. Together they also have five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Les worked as a music teacher and high school principal in various locations around Indiana before they eventually settled in Sheridan. He took the position of Superintendent of Sheridan Community Schools and was later the Director of Transportation for Carmel and Danville Schools. He retired in 1994 and enjoyed serving in various volunteer opportunities in Sheridan. Most notably he served as the statewide director for the AARP Safe Driver Program in Indiana. Les was a member of the Sheridan United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed directing the choir. For the last decade he enjoyed his weekly volunteering gig in his granddaughters’ kindergarten classroom.
Of all the things Les has done throughout his lifetime, spending quality time with his family was always his number one priority. He loved to travel with his family, study history, attend classic car shows and even collect a few of his own, too. The entire family enjoyed many memory-making summers at Loon Lake in northern Indiana. More recently, Les loved driving his golf cart with the great-grandchildren to get ice cream. Les lived a life dedicated to the service of others: his country, community, church, and most of all to his family. He will be greatly missed and always remembered.
Les is survived by his wife, Martha Ann (Prough) Pence; two sons, Randy D. Pence (Karen) of Noblesville and Terry L. Pence (Helena) of California; five grandchildren, Desiree’ Pauley (Andrew), Dr. Orey Pence (Christy), Allie Deal (Aaron), Elyse Clark (Henry), and Ian Pence; nine great-grandchildren, Logan Pauley, Cora Pauley, Lincoln Pauley, Leo Pauley, Luca Deal, Livi Deal, Tori Clark, Gabe Clark, and Alex Clark; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Laver and Nellie Dell (Karns) Pence; son, Mike E. Pence; two grandsons, Richard Andrew “Andy” Pence and Erik M. Pence; and his brother, Richard Pence.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Sheridan First United Methodist Church. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the Sheridan First United Methodist Church, 207 E. 2nd Street, Sheridan, with visitation from noon until the time of service. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Rev. John Meunier will be officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the Sheridan Fire Department or to the Sheridan First United Methodist Church.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com