Duane Morgan Rhone

Duane Morgan Rhone passed away peacefully in Denver, Colorado while listening to some of his favorite music on the morning of May 10th, 2025, He was 83 years old.

Duane was born in 1941 in Des Moines, Iowa — the oldest of ten children. He graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in 1960, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served six years in Japan and other Asian countries as well as in the Southern U.S.. His favorite stories centered on Japan, where he befriended a local bar owner and the two of them would watch reruns of The Lone Ranger in Japanese.

After his military service, Duane’s technical skills caught the attention of recruiters at IBM, where he spent the next twenty-eight years. Soon after being hired, Duane moved his young family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he and his then wife, Gloria Rhone, raised three children — Daniel, Linda, and Steven. Throughout his life, he enjoyed carpentry, sketching, reading and photography.

After retiring, Duane relocated to Denver, Colorado. There he met and married his second wife, Mary Simon, and gained two step-sons, also named Daniel and Steven. During his final years, Duane enjoyed watching sports, developing a passion for European soccer. Between televised games, he’d spend his time on the phone with friends and family, or with his children and three beloved grandchildren, cheering them on through their careers and education.

Duane desired that there be no memorial service. He simply wanted his children to gather and reflect. For those who knew Duane and wish to express their appreciation, please consider making a gift to the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (https://www.wisconsinvets.org/donate) in Duane’s name.

Duane is survived by his siblings, Don Rhone, John Rhone, Jean Parker, Janise Rhone, and Jeanette Rhone, his children Daniel Rhone (daughter-in-law: Shari Rhone), Linda Caples (son-in-law: Anthony Caples), and Steven Rhone., his grandchildren Mayumi Rhone, Morgan Rhone, and Layla Caples.  He was preceded in death by his parents David Rhone, Sr. and Bernice Rhone, brothers Richard Rhone and David Rhone, and sisters Joyce Vaughn and Judy McClain.