Obituary of Charlie Miller

Charles Albin Miller “He was a good man” Hinsdale, NY Charles Albin Miller, 87, of Hinsdale, passed away Monday (March 2, 2026). Born April 18, 1938 in Olean, he was the youngest of four children born to Theodore J. and Esther Carlson Miller. On December 12, 1959 he married Donna R. Vance who survives. Charlie enlisted in the US Air Force in 1955 and served until his honorable discharge in 1959. He worked for several years as a general laborer, then started his own business in 1976 and operated C A Miller and Son Machine in Hinsdale until his death. Charlie, affectionately known as “Good Time Charlie,” or “Back Road Charlie,” was a very giving person, always with a smile, full of wit, and with wisdom to impart. He loved reading and collecting books and was versatile on many topics including geography, history and politics, which he enjoyed talking with others about. He was also very talented at working with his hands and he assembled many models, often making his own materials from scratch. He constructed a complete model circus; wagons and menagerie created from his memory and pictures of the circus days in Olean when he was growing up. More recently he was creating model boats, military canons and excitedly enjoyed coloring mandalas. He loved his family, his friends, and his special pets throughout the years of his life. Furthermore, he enjoyed his hobbies and will be remembered as a giving person. If it was something he liked, he bought or made more of it and freely gave it to everyone. Surviving are his wife, Donna; one son, Steve Miller of Hinsdale; three grandchildren, Chris (Jillian) Miller of Portville, Stephanie (Shawn) Drum of Cuba, and Desirae of Hinsdale; several great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his three brothers, Donald, Paul, and Phil. The family will receive friends on Saturday (March 7, 2026) from 1-4pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A Celebration of Charlie’s life will continue at the Hinsdale American Legion immediately following the visitation. Memorials may be made to the Hinsdale American Legion, 3729 NY-16, Hinsdale, NY 14743.