Duane Eugene Peroo

Duane E. Peroo

Duane E. Peroo passed away on September 1, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime defined by hard work, service to his community, generosity, and, most importantly, an unwavering love for his family.

Duane developed his remarkable work ethic at an early age. He began working for John Deere when he was just 14 years old. After high school, he attended Emporia State University for three years, studying mechanical engineering, before deciding to leave school and work full time at John Deere. He continued his career with John Deere until December 1985.

Following his years with John Deere, Duane took his experience, mechanical ability, and entrepreneurial spirit and founded Osage Tractor and Truck Repair, Inc. in Osage City. For nearly four decades, the business became an important part of his life and the community. Duane continued working until his retirement in 2023, when he sold the business to his longtime employee and friend, Bruce Schoflin. Duane took great pride not only in the business he built, but also in the relationships and friendships he developed with customers, employees, and people throughout the community.

Duane proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army and was deployed to Korea during the Korean War. His service to others continued throughout his life.

He was a longtime and active member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Osage City, where he served as President and Trustee. His involvement with the Eagles meant much more to him than holding an office. Duane believed in helping people and was generous with his time, his resources, and donations whenever there was a need. He was someone who could be counted on to step forward and help.

Duane also believed in serving his hometown. He served a term on the Osage City Council and was involved in the community in many other ways. For years, he helped young people through sports, coaching Little League baseball and American Legion baseball. He enjoyed watching young athletes grow, compete, and learn the value of teamwork.

As important as his work and community involvement were to him, nothing meant more to Duane than his family.

Duane shared his life with his wife, Judy (Miller) Peroo, and together they built a family that was the center of his life. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His son, Michael Duane Peroo, and Michael's wife, Michele Peroo, were an important part of the family Duane loved so deeply.

He was especially proud of his grandsons, Ryan and Nathan Peroo. Anyone who spent much time talking with Duane was likely to hear a story about Ryan or Nathan. Their accomplishments brought him tremendous pride, and he was always interested in what they were doing and where life was taking them.

Football created some of Duane's most treasured family memories. He rarely, if ever, missed a game as Ryan and Nathan played from youth football through high school. When Ryan went on to play college football at Washburn University, Duane was there supporting him as well. Being in the stands watching his grandsons was not simply something Duane did—it was part of who he was as a grandfather.

Duane was also blessed to experience one especially meaningful moment before his passing: meeting and holding his first great-grandson, Koast Ryan Peroo. Welcoming another generation into the family was a special gift and a memory his family will always treasure.

Duane also loved Kansas City Chiefs football. Beginning in the 1990s and continuing through 2022, he and his son, Michael, shared countless Sundays together attending Chiefs home games. Through winning seasons and losing seasons, those trips were about much more than football. They were years of conversation, laughter, shared experiences, and time together as father and son—memories that will never be replaced.

Duane had a special place in his heart for animals, particularly cats. There always seemed to be cats around the house and property, and Duane made sure they were fed and had shelter. Whether they officially belonged to him or had simply discovered that Duane would take care of them did not seem to matter. If an animal needed something, Duane was there.

Those who knew Duane will remember a man who enjoyed talking with people and could strike up a conversation with almost anyone. He loved telling jokes, sharing stories, and making people laugh. He was hardworking and independent, but he was also generous, loyal, and dependable. When his family, friends, or community needed him, Duane was there.

Above everything else, Duane loved his family. His presence was constant, his support unwavering, and his pride in those he loved unmistakable.

Duane leaves behind his wife, Judy (Miller) Peroo; his son, Michael Duane Peroo and his wife, Michele Peroo; his sister, Connie Strobel; his grandsons, Ryan Peroo and his wife, Kennedy, and Nathan Peroo and his wife, Hailey; and his great-grandson, Koast Ryan Peroo. He also leaves behind extended family, longtime friends, former employees, customers, and countless others whose lives were touched by his generosity, humor, friendship, and kindness.

Duane's life can be measured in many ways—in decades of hard work, a business he built, service to his country, service to Osage City, young athletes he coached, organizations he supported, animals he cared for, Chiefs games attended, and countless stories and jokes shared.

But his greatest legacy will always be his family and the simple fact that, whenever they needed him, Duane was there.

He will be deeply loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten.

A Celebration of Duane’s life will be held at 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel in Osage City, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until service time at the funeral chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel 107 N. 6th Street Osage City, Kansas 66523.