Duane Lee Miller, of Appleton, Wisconsin, passed away on September 5, 2026 after a courageous fight with cancer, surrounded by the love of his family.

Duane was born in Park Rapids, Minnesota, to Ada “Tootie” Wisneski and Lawrence Miller. He later attended New London High School, where he left behind a piece of himself that might surprise those who only knew him as a mechanic - he painted a mural in the high school. Underneath the grease and tools, Duane was a bit of a secret artist.

In 1986, Duane married Michelle Carey, and together they built a life and family that meant everything to him.

Duane proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1980 to 2001, retiring as a Sergeant First Class in field artillery. During his years of service, he earned the nickname “Smoke.” His pride in his service remained with him throughout his life. He later participated the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom honor ride to Washington, D.C.

A mechanic through and through, Duane spent his life working with his hands. He worked for Calnin & Goss for 25 years before retiring in 2023. There truly wasn’t much he couldn’t fix, or couldn’t teach himself to fix. If something was broken, Duane would figure it out, and everyone knew there was only one right answer when it came to vehicles: Ford.

Duane didn’t just fix things for a living; helping people was simply part of who he was. He was the kind of man who would stop on the side of the road for a complete stranger who was stranded and would quite literally give someone the shirt off his back. If he knew how to help, he helped.

He could, and would, talk to anyone about just about anything. Duane loved conversation, loved a good debate, and was never afraid to share his opinion. Whether you agreed with him or not, you always knew where Duane stood, and there was rarely a shortage of conversation when he was around.

When he wasn’t fixing something or debating someone, Duane enjoyed bowling and golfing. Despite plenty of opportunities over the years, he somehow managed to make it through life without ever bowling a 300 or hitting a hole-in-one … although we’re sure he had a perfectly good explanation for why.

He loved getting behind the wheel of his Ford Mustang or on his Victory motorcycle and heading out on the country roads, where the drive itself was often the destination. He was also a devoted Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers fan.

But nothing Duane loved compared to his family, and there was one little boy in particular who had him completely wrapped around his finger.

His grandson, Jeffrey, was truly the light of his life. Duane lived for that little boy. Being Jeffrey’s grandpa brought him a kind of joy that was impossible to miss, and the love between the two of them was something incredibly special. Of all the titles Duane held throughout his life - husband, dad, mechanic, Sergeant First Class - “Grandpa” may have been his favorite.

Duane is survived by his wife, Michelle Miller; his daughter, Leah Speakes (husband, Marcus, and their son, Jeffrey); his son, Shane Miller (fiancée, Beth Mai, and her daughter, Jadyn Gasper); his mother, Ada “Tootie” Wisneski (husband, Rocky); his longtime friend, Jack Walker; and his siblings: Mickey Miller (wife, Lisa); Traci Bohn; Kevin Miller (wife, Susie); Brenda Keech (husband, Ron); and Larry Miller (wife, Megan).

He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Miller; stepmother, Joanne Miller; stepsister, Darcy Thorp; mother-in-law, Joyce Carey; father-in-law, Earl Carey; and his best four-legged friend, Oakley.

There will be no formal funeral service. A celebration of Duane’s life will be held at a later date, where family and friends can come together to share the stories, laughs and memories that made Duane, Duane.

Duane leaves behind far more than the things he fixed or the work he did. He leaves behind the lessons he taught, the people he helped, the roads he traveled, the stories his family will tell for years to come, and a little boy who will always know just how incredibly much his grandpa loved him.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved.