Larry J. Miller

On May 22nd, at the age of 80, Larry John Miller left this world, leaving behind an empty place in our hearts that only his presence could fill.

The Story of Larry’s Life

From the outside, in his jeans and flannel shirt, Larry looked like a simple man. He liked simple things - a good game night, the open country air, the quiet company of animals, the laughter of family around a table where there was always an extra seat. But anyone who really knew him understood that simplicity was only the surface. Beneath it lived a man of talent, deep loyalty, and a heart that gave more than it ever asked for.

A Man of Many Talents

Larry could build anything. A table. A barn. A home, from the foundation to the shingles. He never went to school for it; he didn’t need to. The knowledge lived in his hands. He drew blueprints the way other people doodled. He sketched landscapes and animals with the same ease. It all came naturally.

When asked why he didn’t turn that gift into a career. His answer was simple: “If I had to do it every day, I might stop loving it.” So, he kept it sacred.

Instead, he spent most of his working years at Eck Industries as a molder, steady, reliable, hardworking. The kind of worker every place wishes they had.

Larry also played guitar. In the same hands that built homes and sketched blueprints, music found a place too.

A Childhood of Hard Work and Mischief

Larry learned the meaning of work early. At eight years old, he and his older brother Vince were sent to their grandmother’s farm. He didn’t always want to go, but once he got there, he had fun. They worked sunup to sundown and occasionally snuck into the house to watch Mickey Mouse when no one was looking.

With a large family and little money, everyone pitched in, and joy was found in the simplest things like a good laugh, a shared chore, a stolen moment of mischief. They swung from ropes in the rafters, dove into hay mounds, and made memories that stuck for a lifetime. Those early years shaped him with discipline, humor, and hard work.

Fifteen Minutes of Fame

Were he and his brother truly the inspiration for Vince and Larry, the Crash Test Dummies of the mid eighties through the nineties? We may never know. But his family is certain it couldn’t have been a coincidence, and they remain grateful that their “roles” helped encourage people to buckle up and save lives.

A Heart That Gave Without Hesitation

Larry was the kind of man who showed up for people. If someone needed help, he was there. If someone needed time, he found it. He may have seemed tough on the outside, but inside he loved with everything he had. His wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were his greatest pride. He bragged about each of them - their talents, their character, their dreams - to anyone who’d listen. And he never missed a chance to cheer them on. Soccer, swimming, tennis, football, baseball, wrestling, basketball, lacrosse -whatever the sport, if a grandchild was playing, Larry was there, smiling from ear to ear.

A Life Filled with Joys

He loved puzzles, cards, games, golf, baseball, football. He loved old movies, westerns, and the Jesse Stone series. He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, bike rides, and the quiet of the outdoors. He was a great shot, too. There’s a story about him shooting a deer while he was in motion… but the details, well, those are staying in the family.

He loved animals and filled his hobby farm with horses, sheep, goats, chickens, cows, geese, a donkey, cats and several side-kick dogs who went on errands with him.

A Man Who Loved, and Was Loved

Larry and Donna met at a local establishment where Larry was tending bar. One night, after they had both attended a wedding, Larry offered Donna a ride home, a simple gesture that became the beginning of everything. From that night on, as the saying goes, the rest was history. They recently celebrated 58 years of marriage, side by side through thick and thin.

He worked hard. He kept moving forward, even when life wasn’t easy. He graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School in 1964, where he spent time on the wrestling team, but his real education came from living, from building, from loving, from giving.

A Life Well Lived

Larry welcomed everyone. He built things that will stand for generations. He loved deeply and was loved deeply in return. His life was full of work, joy, humor, and heart. Larry lived a full, wholehearted life, built with his hands, shaped by his love, and strengthened by his steady presence. He gave deeply, loved fiercely, and left the world better than he found it. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and all who were shaped by his kindness.

As Hunter S. Thompson wrote, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!’” Larry lived exactly that kind of life, and what a ride it was.

We hope you’re playing golf, riding horses, “shootin’ the shit,” and at peace, watching over all who love and miss you, smiling at the ride you lived so well.

Those Who Loved Him

Larry is survived by his wife, Donna (Haelfrisch), with whom he shared 58 years of marriage; his “favorite” daughter, Heidi (Jon) Wadzinski, and their children Jack (fiancé Taylor Prasun), Natalie, and Jacob; his other “favorite” daughter, Haeli (Jason) Schultz, and their children Laken (and special friend Brynn Zunker) and Olivia (and special friend Josh Kust); and his “favorite” son, Heath (Amy) Miller, and their children Josh (Alyssa) Neff-Miller and great granddaughter Isabelle; Haley Miller (and special friend Nick Kreil) and great-grandson Daniel; Amanda (Ben) Lang and great-granddaughter Abigail Jo; Sydney Miller; Maddeson Miller.

He is further survived by his siblings: Vincent (Sandra) Miller Jr.; Michael (Gail) Miller; Thomas (Terry) Miller; Myron (Judy) Miller; and Sheila Miller; sister in law Janet Miller; sister in law Delores Holmes; sister in law Vermae (Jeff) Zutz; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Agnes Miller Sr.; his father in law and mother in law, Clifford and Hilda Haelfrisch; his brother, Randy Miller; four sisters, Sue Moistner, Sandy Kortens, Sharon Miller, and Shelly Miller; brothers in law Bob Kortens and Jim Holmes; niece Camryn Holmes; and great nephew Channing Holmes.

Thank You

The family would like to thank the staff at Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc, and ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Appleton, for the exceptional care you gave Larry and the heartfelt support you offered his family during a difficult time.

A private family celebration of life will be held to honor Larry.