Orlin "Orlie" H. Miller

Orlin "Orlie" H. Miller, 89, of Robinson, IL, passed away at 9:25 p.m. on May 26, 2024, at BridgePointe Health Campus in Vincennes, IN.

Orlie was born in Hunt City, IL on October 23, 1934, the son of Charles Lawrence Barnbrook & Clara (Miller) Barnbrook. Orlie was adopted by his aunt & uncle, Orlin & Chloe Miller. On June 11, 1955, he married Joyce Lee Frye, and she survives. He is also survived by his daughter & son-in-law, Kim & John Brimberry (Robinson IL); his son & daughter-in-law, Kris & Dena Miller (Milton, FL); by five grandchildren & their spouses, Brandon & Holly Brimberry, Logan & Annabeth Brimberry, Nic & Brooke Miller, Kelly & Harvey Brown, and K.C. & Kylie Miller; by nine great-grandchildren, Violet Brimberry, Miller Brimberry, Oliver Miller, and K.C. and Kylie's three girls and three boys. He is also survived by two brothers, Charles and Clem Barnbrook; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents (both birth and adopted); his son, Kevin Scott Miller; three brothers, Bill, Robert, and James Barnbrook; and two sisters, Ruby Barnbrook and Virginia Mikeworth.

Orlie drove a "pop route" for Pepsico before landing a sales rep position with Nabisco's brands. From then on, he became affectionately known as "The Cookie Man" in Robinson and the neighboring towns in his sales territory.

He loved to mushroom hunt in the spring and fish all summer long in the pond he had built and stocked with catfish and bluegill. While not members of any official bike club, Orlie and Joyce enjoyed riding motorcycles and would often take long rides with friends on weekends during the summer months.

Music always played a significant role in his life. He learned to play guitar and harmonica in his early 20s and taught his sons, Scott and Kris, to play as soon as they were old enough to hold a guitar. In 1977, he joined the band "The Country Rhythm Masters" as their lead guitarist and performed for the next seven years in various area Moose, Elks, V.F.W., and American Legion venues.

After retiring in 1996, Orlie developed a love for bluegrass music and taught himself to play the banjo. He often hosted "jam sessions" in his garage, where ten or more of his musician friends would sit in a circle and take turns singing songs and trading licks. He and Joyce traveled to bluegrass festivals in their motorhome, making new friends and playing music around their campsite. Even during his final weeks at BridgePointe, he continued to spread joy through music, putting on mini-concerts with his harmonica for the staff and fellow residents.

Orlie was a gentle, kind man who wore his heart on his sleeve. A devoted husband and a true family man, he loved his family deeply and was always ready to help a family member or friend in need.

Though the song of Orlie Miller's life has ended, we are thankful that its melody lingers on in the hearts of those who enjoyed its goodness and beauty.

A time of visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. A funeral service will immediately follow and be held at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Memorials may be made to either "St. Croix Hospice" in Newburgh, IN, or to the "Crawford County Humane Society", with envelopes available at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Tohill Cemetery, rural Flat Rock, IL.