Duane Richard Hellier

Duane Richard Hellier, age 50, died on June 2nd, 2025. He was born July 27th, 1974 in Sharon, PA to parents Edward “Kevin” Hellier and Marsha Axe (nee Gregorini).

He was preceded in death by his daughter, a baby girl (1992); his grandparents; and by his father, Kevin Hellier (2017). He is survived by his spouse, LeeAnn; former wife, Becky (David); and children, Brandy (David) Clark, Andrea Hellier, Parker McMillan, and Alex (Alyssa) Hellier; his grandchildren, Kaleb Clark, Wyatt Clark, Grant Clark, and Mason Clark; his siblings, Erik (Rochelle) Hellier and Rachael (Mark) Brion; his parents, Marsha (Howard) Axe, and Jerry & Anita Flinn; multiple nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and beloved friends; and his favorite pets Luna and Lacey. All of whom were subjected to his unusual sense of humor, which was an acquired taste.

Duane believed children are the future. He was loving, with a unique style of parenting to his siblings, and his oldest Brandy & Clark. He started his career at A Kids Only Learning Center. He began as a preschool teacher and quickly became an administrator. In 2000, he married Becky and quickly started to build a bigger family, with the additions of Andrea Hellier and Alex J. Hellier, as well as all the children from school Duane thought of as his own. Many to be remembered as short as June 2nd, 2025.

He moved to his favorite home in Cuyahoga Falls and then began working for Peck Food Service, enjoying his role as Director of Operations. He married his “Sally” love LeeAnn. They blended their families together in 2021. Bringing his soul mate, high school love (unspoken love) for their years when he lived in Parma. They had become friends in high school. Having joined forces, “Jack and Sally” loved sharing their love to give back to others through his magical Spirit of Christmas, through the Cuyahoga Falls’ “Santa Letter Box” which was placed in his front yard. Every year, in the Spirit of Christmas, he would don his Santa Gear and would write letters back to children providing their parents with a special gift card for a gift under the tree on Christmas morning. He even went in Santa disguise on Christmas Eve if the need “arose such a clatter.”

He was a man of multiple hobbies and also accomplished a 5K. He enjoyed paintings, LEGO’s, football, and hockey. In every aspect of his life, he lived what he believed! A favorite quote of his to share at this time: “Success is not defined by the outcome, but by making a choice to follow that still small voice. How it ends is irrelevant. It is about how it begins that defines success.”

God bless, remember every Christmas to read the Polar Express, and remember me.

There are not any public services or ceremonies planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a GoFundMe.com account to support Duane’s family.

Arrangements in care of the Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, FALLS Memorial Chapel, 1907 23rd St. Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 (Billow FALLS Chapel)