Dean Arthur Scott

Dean Arthur Scott, age 87, of Merrill, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Seasons of Life in Woodruff, WI, while surrounded by his dear family. He was born on January 8, 1938, to the late Robert L. and Irene E. (Lucke) Scott in Bradford, IL. He attended and graduated from Bradford High School before proudly enlisting in the United States Marine Corps where he served as a helicopter mechanic.

Following his honorable discharge from military service, Dean worked as a welder and fabricator for the majority of his adult life, most of that being with the Wood Chip Corporation of America in Merrill, WI where he designed, fabricated, and maintained various production equipment around the plant. Dean was an exceptionally skilled welder/fabricator and was regularly relied upon to custom design and fabricate many large projects over his career. Prior to that, Dean was a Superintendent overseeing a team that broke ground on the creation of the 1,148 acre reservoir for Painted Creek State Park in Ohio that went on to support a 5,652 acre public recreation area that many enjoy to this day.

When he wasn’t working, Dean recharged and fed his soul by getting his hands in the soil and tending to his multiple vegetable gardens at the FFA garden plots on the East end of Merrill. Having always dreamed of owning his own farm, Dean was beyond passionate about all things organic gardening and was extremely knowledgeable when it came to best practices. Undoubtedly, Dean was well respected in the gardening community and was regularly sought out for his gardening wisdom. As a lifelong learner, Dean enjoyed studying everything gardening related; from soil composition, composting, companion planting, and crop rotation to permaculture, and working with what nature provides to produce the best results. Dean was also a beekeeper for some time in his youth. With never enough time in the day, and oftentimes burning both ends of the candle, Dean always cherished time to relax with family and friends when possible. He was a naturalist and strived to do things in harmony with nature as much as possible, in all aspects of his life. Dean was a man of strong faith and found his connection with God strongest while with nature, toiling the land, and reaping the harvest from which the Good Lord provides. He was a strong-willed, smart, and loving man; a natural teacher that always had a story to tell. It goes without saying, but Dean will be deeply missed and thought of often; especially when a garden needs planting or tending.

Dean is survived by his children: Tammy (John) Sawyer of Plover, WI, Daniel (Dianne) Scott of Illinois, Heidi (James) Gipson of Wellsville, Missouri, Robert (Stephanie) Scott of Scottsdale, AZ and Jeremy (April) Scott of Merrill, WI, along with the mother of his children: Linda Scott. He is further survived by fifteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren and sister: Delores Driscoll. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister: Rosalie (Marvin) Schuck.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude for the amazing care, support, and compassion that was shown to Dean and his family during his stay at Seasons of Life Hospice in Woodruff, WI. The facility and staff were amazing and very compassionate.

A Celebration of Life for Dean will be held on June 7, 2025, at 10am at Brookridge Church of Plover, WI. In lieu of flowers, it would be greatly appreciated if donations were made in Dean’s name to the Monk Botanical Gardens of Wausau, WI at monkgardens.org.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Services of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.