Merle Dean Guinn

M. Dean Guinn, 86, of Cascade was promoted to heaven on Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Center.

Dean was born in St. Joseph, MO on September 16, 1935, a son to the late Merle F. and Estella D. (Lange) Guinn.  He grew up in Leavenworth County, Kansas and graduated from Tonganoxie High School where he excelled in football and basketball. He was also president of his senior class.  He later attended Ottawa University and played on the football team. On April 14, 1963 he was united in marriage to Lavera Cathcart in Meriden, KS.  They dairy farmed in Wellsville, KS and in 1969 he was awarded the Outstanding Young Farmer Award.  In their retirement they moved to Plymouth, WI and later Cascade, WI so they could be closer to family.  

Dean trusted Christ as his Savior as a young adult and actively shared the gospel with others throughout his life. He always placed importance in God, wife and family. God gifted him with a wonderful tenor voice and he also wrote numerous songs and poems. He had great pride in his grandchildren and always found the time to attend their events along with other family activities. He served on and as president of the Wellsville School Board.  He was a founding member of the Countryside Baptist Church in Wellsville and served as a deacon.  In recent years, Dean attended Faith Baptist Church in Plymouth and Living Hope Bible Church in Oostburg. Both in Kansas and Wisconsin he was a leader in ministry in the various local churches in which he served.

Dean is survived by his wife and love of his life, Lavera; his three children, Anita (Brad) Smith of Cottage Grove, WI, Curtis (Melissa) Guinn of Longmont, CO and Christine (Brandt) Mulholland of Cascade, WI; four grandchildren, Ryan (Hannah) Smith of Bolingbrook, IL, Aaron (Carly) Smith of Ulysses, KS, Allison (Matt) Rush of McFarland, WI and Caleb Mulholland of Cascade, WI; a great grandson, Noah Smith and a sister Maybelle Wilson of Ottawa, KS.  Nieces, nephews and other family further survive. He was preceded in death by a brother, Doug Guinn, and a sister Joan Carbaugh and other relatives.

Dean will always be remembered for his unending kindness, loving smile, and work ethic. His legacy will live on in those that were privileged to know him.

A funeral service for Dean will be held at 5 PM, Saturday, August 20 at Wittkopp Funeral and Cremation Service with Elwood Wynveen officiating.  Burial will be in the Wellsville Cemetery, Wellsville, KS.  Family and friends may gather at the funeral home, 123 South Street, Plymouth on Saturday from 3 PM until the time of service at 5 PM.

Memorials in Dean’s name may be directed to the Living Hope Bible Church or the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Center.

Dean's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.  Their kindness and compassion will long be remembered.

Condolences to Dean’s family can be expressed at www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com