1926-2025
Paul Wesley Scott, 99, son of Sperry Wesley and Ida Mae (Malasie) Scott, was born May 28, 1926, on a farm in Aroma Park, Illinois. He passed away Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center.
Paul graduated from Kankakee High School in 1944. He enlisted into the United States Navy just two days later, proudly serving during WWII from 1944 to 1946. Paul was a machinist mate 2nd Class on an LST (Landing Ship Tank). Most of his service was spent in the China Sea where he and his shipmates narrowly survived the devastation caused by Typhoon Louise in 1945. Following his honorable discharge when the war ended in 1946, he attended the University of Illinois for one year. In 1948, he began his career working for Sears & Roebuck in Kankakee, Illinois. On June 6, 1954, he married Waneta Mae Dalton in Kankakee, Illinois. They made their home in Kankakee with their three children, Mike, Beth and Laura, until 1966, when they moved to Bourbonnais, Illinois. Paul was a loyal and dedicated employee for 40 years at Sears & Roebuck. He was loved by his fellow workmates and customers. Paul then retired in 1988. They lived in Bourbonnais until 1992, when they moved to Lake Panorama. They built their dream home on hole No. 9 on the Lake Panorama National Golf Course, overlooking the lake and instantly became enveloped in this small lake community. Paul made many friends and played a lot of golf. In 2012, they moved into the town of Panora to a smaller home, and then, in 2019, they moved to the independent living at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center. In June of 2023, Paul and Waneta moved to long term care at the New Homestead.
In his younger years, Paul enjoyed playing baseball, especially when his brother Morris caught and Paul pitched. Paul also enjoyed bowling, golfing, camping, mowing, playing cards such as cribbage and euchre. He had a love/hate relationship with the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears (but always remained a loyal fan). Paul fiercely loved his wife, his children and his grandkids. Those who were lucky enough to know Paul will remember him for his willingness to help others, his ability to make friends anywhere he went and his iron-grip handshake.
Paul was a member of the Panora United Methodist Church, Panora Masonic Lodge, the Masonic Lodge in Kankakee, Illinois, the Frank Grubb American Legion Post No. 372, Panora, Iowa, and the Kankakee American Legion Color Guard from 1949-1958.
Paul is survived by his wife of 72 years, Waneta Scott of Guthrie Center; children, Michael (Julie) Scott of Peru, Illinois; Elizabeth (Tim) Gates of Kankakee, Illinois; and Laura (Scott) Kemble of Panora; grandchildren, Maclain Scott, Phillip Scott, Molly Dalby (Brian), Andrew Gates (Heather), Josh Gates (Crystal), Sam Kemble (Melissa and son, Finn), Jake Kemble, and Annie Kemble; great-granddaughters, Audrey and Hazel Gates; great-grandson, Lane Dalby; sister, Gloria Goodin and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Morris Scott; brother-in-law, Larry Goodin; and sister-in-law, Sharon Scott.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Burial of his cremains will be in the Kankakee Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Kankakee, Illinois, at a later date.
Memorials may be left to the Panora Masonic Lodge, the Panora United Methodist Church or to the family.