Dean Ray McKinley Jr., 62 of Merrill WI, formerly of Wausau WI, was born July 28th 1959 to Dean "Red" McKinley Sr., and Christine (Kryshak) McKinley. Dean passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on January 5th 2022. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Valerian "Val" and Anastacia "Virginia" Kryshak, and his paternal grandparents Henry and Hazel McKinley, his father Dean "Red" McKinley Sr., his Aunt Mary Jane Sikes and her husband Uncle Rex Sikes. And his fiancé Debra's grandchildren Kyleigh and Gavin Fochs. Dean attended Wausau West High School then years after working at 7-UP, Wausau Homes and Marathon Electric, he continued his education and graduated from the NTC Plumbing & Steamfitters Apprenticeship Program, where he became employed by the UA Local #434. He worked with them for over 25 years. In Deans earlier days he enjoyed traveling with the family, playing foosball, shooting pool, downhill skiing, hunting (with his brother Mark and son Adam), boating, fishing (he was a member of the Bass Club and entered many bass fishing tournaments and won many trophies and awards), coin collecting, he loved spending time at his cabin on Lake Nokomis in Tomahawk WI. Dean was a great cook and well known for his beer can chicken and Brett Favre Chile. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and NASCAR. Dean loved the Blues, and for a few years he was a member of the Great Northern Blues Society and attended many of the Big Bull Falls Blues Fest and Blues Café. Dean also loved his Silverado pickup truck that he had for many years, he even had personalized Packer Plates "DEAN" Dean is survived by his fiancé Debra Kasten also of Merrill. They met on his Birthday in 2001 and immediately they fell in Love. They had their up and downs throughout the years but the Love was always there. He is also survived by his mother Christine Kryshak, Tomahawk WI, his children, son Adam McKinley, Athens WI, and daughter Nichole (Travis) Thurs, Wausau WI. His grandchildren Landon Thurs and Jaslynn Thurs, Wausau WI. His sister Roxanne "Roxy" McKinley, Wausau WI, and his brother Mark (Rita) McKinley, Harrison Hills WI, His Uncle Guy (Elaine) Kryshak, Harrison Hills WI. His cousins Rex Sikes, Brookfield WI and Gina Sikes, Los Angelos CA., Valerian "Val" Kryshak and Melissa "Chris-mis" Kryshak-Fake, Harrison Hills WI. Debra's daughter's, Tanya (Zeike) Jones, Jessica, Kassandra, Terra (Logan) Calmes, and her 12 grandchildren that adored him, and their fur baby shih-Tsu Jager. Per Dean's request there will not be a funeral, there will however be a celebration of Life this summer... TBD This is not "Good Bye" Dean, may you rest in peace until we all meet again...