Elton H. Duffy

Elton H. Duffy, 87, of Milton, Wisconsin passed away on August 7, 2026, while traveling to Norway. Elton was born on March 15, 1939, at Darlington Memorial Hospital, to Amy and Hjalmar Duffy. His parents moved to the Mt. Horeb area in the 1940’s and to a farm in Kittleson Valley in 1945. Searching the farm for scrap iron and milkweed pods was a family affair. Both were used for the World War II effort.

His first paying job was a milk can handler at Pet Milk in New Glarus. Later, he went to work at the Wisconsin Diagnostic Center in Madison as a psychiatric aide, working with mentally and emotionally challenged children.

He enlisted in the US Army on April 1, 1960. His training was at the Army Security Agency School in Ft. Devens, MA. While in school, he took flying lessons and flew a Pa-18 Piper Cub. His army duty took him to Japan, Korea, Philippines, Thailand and China. He was discharged at Camp Wolters, TX in March of 1963 with a rank of Specialist E-5.

He met his future wife in February of 1965 at a dance at Edwards Park in McFarland. Elton and Ruth Ann were married on September 18, 1965 and were self-employed (Elra Auto Supply) for 34 years. After retirement, Elton did a lot of woodworking. He also restored hundreds of vintage outboard gas tanks and coolers for all of his friends across the country. They widely referred to Elton as "The Gas Tank Man". Elton was known for his acts of generosity and kindness, as he went out of his way to make everyone feel special.

Playing cards with friends and looking at birds and airplanes were a must for Elton, and Ruth Ann loved to dance. Elton learned to hop polka in the barn with his sisters while milking cows and listening to polka music on WEKZ, and he taught Ruth Ann to hop polka the night they met. His family was very special to him.

Elton is survived by his children, Lisa Lazuli of North Carolina and Jayson (Michelle) Duffy of Janesville; grandchildren, Samantha Staton, Maureen Staton, Travis Duffy, Alyssa Duffy and Adam Duffy. He is also survived by his sisters, Alice Yaeger of Mt. Horeb, Delores (Don) Larson of Belleville and Arlene Goecks of Blanchardville; brother-in-law John (Susan) Oliver of Melrose and sister-in-law Janet Oliver (Jeff Zwickey) of Galesville, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his his wife, Ruth Ann Duffy; his parents, Hjalmar and Amy of Blanchardville; brother Eugene (Linda) Duffy of New Glarus, sister Lucille (Gerald) Duerst of Durand, Il, and brothers-in-law Robert Yaeger and Larry Goecks.

Elton was very proud to be involved with Vets Roll. Feel free to make a donation in remembrance of Elton, if you are so inclined, to https://www.vetsroll.org/donate. Any cash/checks will be donated to Vets Roll as well.

Visitation will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. immediately followed by Funeral Services at Cargill United Methodist Church in Janesville, Wisconsin. Luncheon and fellowship to follow the service at Cargill United Methodist Church, 2000 Wesley Ave., Janesville, Wisconsin. All Faiths Funeral and Cremation Services of Janesville is honored to be assisting the family. Online expressions of condolences and support may be made at: www.866allfaiths.com.