Nicholas L. Dill

Family will receive friends on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 10:00 a.m. at Living Faith Apostolic Church, 2177 Mock Road, Columbus, OH 43219.
Nicholas Lenard Dill, a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, mentor, and friend, departed this life peacefully on July 11, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of strength and unwavering devotion.
Nick was born on November 29, 1970, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Lee and Antoinette Drake. He grew up in Columbus, where he attended Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Beechcroft High School in 1989. A gifted student and proud Buckeye, he earned a full scholarship to The Ohio State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture - a testament to his determination and sharp mind.
On May 22, 1994, Nick was born again, baptized in Jesus' name and filled with the Holy Spirit, becoming a steadfast member of Living Faith Apostolic Church. Throughout the subsequent years under the leadership of Bishop Posey, he humbly served in numerous roles - as deacon, Sunday school teacher, auxiliary treasurer, and many others. His faith was the cornerstone of his life, and he was always quick to pray for others and offer a reassuring presence that made everyone feel that, somehow, everything would be all right.
On August 17, 1996, Nick married the love of his life, Sonja Lovett, and together they built a partnership rooted in faith, loyalty, and support. For almost 29 years, their journey overflowed with a mutual zest for travel, culture, and a commitment to continually grow and evolve.
Family was everything to Nick. He cherished every moment with his mother, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. He took his role seriously as a provider of support, always striving to make time for those he cared for. He hosted Thanksgiving dinner every year, creating a warm and lively space for his family to gather, laugh, eat, dance, and spend meaningful time together - a tradition that reflected his commitment to family and fellowship. In recent years, Nick connected with his grandfather's extended family, exponentially gaining cousins and becoming one of the next-generation planners of their family reunions, ensuring that those bonds of kinship continued to grow.
Nick lived with a lion's heart and the tenacity of a soldier. For 26 years he endured dialysis with remarkable strength and ever-present vitality. Traveling the country and exploring corners of the world, he was always eager to discover and embrace adventure.
As a lifelong learner, Nick was well-rounded and could converse about anything with anyone. Whether the topic was history, sports, music, current events, or faith, he engaged with excitement and had a way of making others feel heard and enriched by the exchange. His wisdom and genuine concern made him a trusted perspective to those who knew him. Always an active listener, he often set aside sharing his own thoughts to truly know the hearts of others.
Nick was a man of gentle strength; one who was a proud father figure, God-dad, and mentor who modeled how to live with courage, grace, and joy. He was quick to laugh, to encourage, and to show up for others in whatever way he could. Nick transitioned to eternal freedom with his family and dear friends at his bedside. He will be deeply missed, yet his memory will live on in the hearts of all who loved him." Well done, good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Lord." - Matthew 25:23.
Rest in peace, dear Nick. Your race is run, your victory won.
Nick is preceded in death by his father, Lee Drake, grandparents, and a number of uncles, aunts, cousins and nephew. Left to cherish his memory are: His wife, Sonja Dill; mother, Antoinette Drake; bonus father, Leonard Dill; sisters and brother, Sunny Hardy, Linda (Kieshia) Dill, Debbie Dill, Adrienne Jones, Kim Allums, Shantassa Goodgame, and Andre Goodgame; aunts, Ethel (Ricky) Green and Roberta Barnes; nieces and nephew, Jalen (Chanel) Harris, Jamiah Paige, Imani Tshaka, Arianna Jones, Aniyah Jones, and London Luke; great niece, Sky Gibson; bonus sisters and brothers, Crystal Green, Phil Green, and Alonzo Pannell; life friends, Marc Smith, Kerry Stringer, and Geoff Steward; The Living Faith Apostolic Church and PAW family; the NxStage medical team; and a host of cousins and friends.
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