Jeff Duryea, 63, Defiance, Ohio, passed away Friday, February 27, 2026, at Community Health Professionals Inpatient Hospice, Defiance, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born July 21, 1962, in Findlay, Ohio, to Jerry Duryea and Betty (Reichenbach) Whitaker. Jeff retired from Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio. He enjoyed taking cruises in his military trucks with his sidekicks Bonsai and Gator. Jeff enjoyed tinkering on his vehicles and fabricating and welding in his shop.

He is survived by his significant other/best friend, Lisa Cox; son, Steven Duryea of Napoleon, Ohio; granddaughter, Alexa Duryea, Napoleon, Ohio; extended family, Chad Martin, Beth Graf, and their children: 2 sisters, Jamie Duryea of Defiance and Shelbi J. Duryea of St. Paris, Ohio; and stepbrother, Robert Whitaker of Defiance, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Duryea, Sr., mother, Betty (Reichenbach) Whitaker, his grandparents and brother, Jerry Duryea, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A private burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the family.