Paul Wesley Scott

Paul Wesley Scott, 99, son of Sperry Wesley & 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, Iowa.

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 & 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, IL. On June 6, 1954, he married Waneta Mae Dalton in Kankakee, IL. They made their home in Kankakee with their 3 children Mike, Beth & Laura until 1966, when they moved to Bourbonnais, IL. Paul was a loyal & dedicated employee for 40 years at Sears & Roebuck. He was loved by his fellow workmates & customers. Paul then retired in 1988. They lived in Bourbonnais until 1992, when they moved to Lake Panorama, IA. They build their dream home on hole #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 & Waneta moved to long term care at the New Homestead.

In his younger years, Paul enjoyed playing baseball, especially when his brother Morris caught & 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 & 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, IL, the Frank Grubb American Legion Post #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, IL; Elizabeth (Tim) Gates of Kankakee, IL; and Laura (Scott) Kemble of Panora; grandchildren, Maclain Scott, Phillip Scott, Molly Dalby (Brian), Andrew Gates (Heather), Josh Gates (Crystal), Sam Kemble (Melissa & son Finn), Jake Kemble, and Annie Kemble; great-granddaughters, Audrey & Hazel Gates; great-grandson, Lane Dalby; sister, Gloria Goodin & many nieces & 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 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, IA. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Burial of his cremains will be in the Kankakee Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Kankakee, IL, at a later date.

Memorials may be left to the Panora Masonic Lodge, the Panora United Methodist Church or to the family.