Scott R. Merrill

Darien Center - Scott R. Merrill, 56 of Darien Center passed away from a serious illness on Friday, (November 7, 2025) at home.

Mr. Merrill was born December 29, 1968 in Batavia, a son of the late Robert E. and Carol (Duguid) Merrill.

Scott exhibited a large laugh and a quick sense of humor. He loved the arts, acting in plays, writing poetry and songs, and telling stories. In Batavia he acted in the Pirates of Penzance and Daniel, the Musical. He was a fan of both Harry Potter (House of Slytherin), Game of Thrones, and, of course, the Cowboys! He earned a B.S. from Houghton College, majoring in Educational Ministries and Bible, and later completing requirements for NYS Teaching Certification. He worked in Youth Ministry at West Middlebury Baptist church and arranged and led short term mission trips to South Africa, Botswana, and Panama. Under Greater Europe Mission, he spent 3 years as an Orphanage/Youth Ministry Specialist in Romania. He had compassion for those around him, and was fiercely loyal to those he held dear.

Scott is survived by uncles, Donald (Sandra) Duguid of Phoenix, Arizonia and Robert (late Joyce) Anchor of Stafford; aunts, Sandra (Henry) Gerstman of West Caldwell, New Jersey and Lee (late Ellsworth) Duguid of Sun City, Arizona; cousin, Sherry (Steven) Gorman of Phoenix, Arizona; his godson, Preston Cuer of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Preston's mother, who was like a sister to him, Karen Cuer of Lancaster, New York. Many additional cousins also survive.

In death, Scott is reunited with his parents and his uncle, Loren (late Avis) Merrill.

Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, (November 15, 2025) from 10 to 11:00 a.m. at H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia, where Scott's funeral service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery in East Bethany. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Red Cross. Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com. The funeral service will be live streamed at 11 am EST, Saturday, November 15th at https://youtube.com/live/OYmBUJmV5MQ