Johnny Wesley Miller

Johnny Wesley Miller of Oblong, IL passed away on April 27, 2024, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Hospice House in Mattoon, IL. Born in Robinson, IL, on Christmas Day, 1958, his 65 years with us were rich in love, laughter, and enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Raised in the area north of Oblong known to his family as "McMillerville," John would grow to become not only a man of the land but also a man who worked with his hands. As a young man, these hands did a little bit of everything: from carpentry to roofing to construction, he approached each job with determined skill, and excellence was always the result. After a stint in maintenance at Ridgeview Care Center, he found his calling in the hallways of Oblong High School, where he dedicated over 20 years of service, retiring as the head custodian. His craftsmanship was not limited to his work; he built two of the family homes where he raised his family and constructed three more, further showcasing his craftiness and creativity.

John's interests painted the picture of a man deeply in love with life. An ardent lover of the outdoors, John's days were best spent under the open sky, whether gardening, arrowhead hunting, mushroom hunting, fishing, or camping. Health limitations in later years saw him cruising around on his side by side, but his passion for the outdoors never waned, nor did his love for music. In his younger days, he played guitar in a band and continued to strum the six-string at home well into the twilight of his life. His eclectic tastes in music ranged from the sweet sounds of Sara Evans and Alison Krauss to the mighty rock anthems of AC/DC!

A master in the kitchen, John could often be found cooking, recreating dishes he caught on the cooking channel with his own unique twists. He even posted a few cooking videos on his Facebook page, where this self-dubbed "Hillbilly Philosopher" also shared his musings on life, which tended to stir up a bit of good-natured (and politically incorrect) trouble. Known for his really wicked sense of humor-super dry and overly sarcastic-John could always be counted on for a quippy one-liner. It was easy to see why people were drawn to him; he was like a bright light in a dimming world. May we all carry a piece of John Miller's legacy within us, finding the humor in life's challenges, embracing the beauty of the world around us, and living each day with the same passion and gusto that he exemplified.

He married his soulmate, Debi Elkins, on August 27, 1977, and together, they embarked on a journey of love and companionship that stood the test of time. John's legacy continues through his daughters & sons-in-law, Darby & Kyle Dishong of Oblong, IL, and Danielle & Jonathan Acree of Robinson, IL, as well as the apples of his eye, his cherished grandsons, Hayes Dishong and Ace Acree. He is also survived by his brothers, Mike Miller and Gary & wife Diana Miller, his special aunt, Judy McCleave, and a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. His life was enriched by his special friends, Les Polley, Debbie Musielak, Dave Hasty, and John Ireland. John was preceded in death by his parents, John H. & Betty E. (McCleave) Miller; by his paternal grandparents, Joseph "Joe Boy" & Maymie "Mamo" Miller; and by his maternal grandparents, Henry & Mildred McCleave.

A celebration of John's life will be held from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4th, at the Crawford County Forest Preserve. In honor of the wonderful care he was given at the end of his life, memorials may be made to "Sarah Bush Lincoln Home Health", and memorial envelopes will be available at the Forest Preserve. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of these arrangements.