Charles Albin Miller, “He was a good man”

HINSDALE — 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 Dec. 12, 1959, he married Donna R. Vance, who survives.

Charlie enlisted in the U.S. 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 CA 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 from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday (March 7, 2026) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, 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 Route 16, Hinsdale, NY 14743.