Joshua Lance died in the early hours of October 21, 2023, after battling cancer bravely for 10 months. He was only 40. His last days passed at home in Westmont, IL, in the care of his family, who entrust his soul to God. 

Born in Loveland, CO, on November 6, 1982, Josh was the first child of Dan and Carole Lance, joined later by two brothers, Jeremy and Justin. He grew up in Wheaton, IL, and in Waukesha, WI (thus his loyalty to the Cubs and Packers) before moving to the Cincinnati area. Since grade school he wanted to be “a boss” when he grew up, like his father, so at home he often wore a tie while reading the paper. That determination earned him “Business Student of the Year” in high school and a scholarship to his top choice, Miami University (OH). 

At college he was made president of the Christian fraternity. There he met his wife, Leesa, a member of the Christian sorority. After Josh graduated, they married in 2005. 

In Chicagoland Josh worked at a top-10 national accounting firm and then for a private family office. The high demands of those jobs inspired him to found his own business, Lance CPA Group, dedicated to valuing each employee and making work fit around life. Soon he was named one of the top “40 under 40” accounting influencers, an honor he received every year until turning 40. He served on the boards of the American Institute of CPAs and the Illinois CPA Society, taught classes at Northwestern University and the University of Vermont, and spoke at conferences around the country as an innovator of small-business finance. 

Because he did not boast about his accomplishments, many of his friends and family only recently realized the depth of his influence in the accounting world. He was humble, slow to speak and quick to listen, compassionate, encouraging, and generous. For thirteen years he served as the treasurer of his local church, and when it came to benevolence, he was not the “numbers guy” naysayer; rather, he consistently pushed committees to give away more. He valued everyone and had a special eye towards those who needed it most. His lifelong faith in Jesus was foundational to his public and private life.

Josh’s greatest joy was time spent with Leesa and their two children, Nathan and Ella. They brought out that mischievous smile of his the most. Be it a game of Uno or a fun trip, he loved spending time together. His spirit was a calming presence amidst busy family life. In Leesa’s words, “Our hearts were aligned in the things that mattered the most to us–our faith, our kids, caring for those in need, the arts, and delicious food–even though we were really different people.” 

More important than success, he was, as many have said in recent weeks, “a good man.”

Those who knew him are invited to a memorial service at Hinsdale Covenant Church on October 28, 10:30AM. 

Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to the organizations after Josh’s heart-- honoring family and business:

Foster Progress - Please select "In Honor of Josh Lance"

National Association of Black Accountants (NABA)- Please select "General Fund"