Charles H. Kreis, 88, of Myerstown, died Friday, January 20, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon, PA.

He was the husband of Arlene S. (Sherman) Kreis to whom he was married 63 years on September 4.

Born in Valley View, PA on March 20, 1923, he was the son of the late Charles Ralph and Hannah Ellen (Hoffman) Kreis.

A 1941 graduate of Tremont High School, he served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. He attended the Navy School of Music and in 1950 received a B.S. Degree in Music Education at Lebanon Valley College. He attended the Paul J. Christiansen Choral School, PA and did graduate work at the University of PA. Mr. Kreis and a friend from Lebanon Valley College formed a dance band called The Musical Owls which played in the Lebanon County area.

He had been an instrumental music teacher for 35 1/2 years in the Mt. Markham Central School in West Winfield, New York. While residing in New York State, he played first trombone in the Utica Symphony and numerous dance bands. He had the privilege of accompanying Chuck Mangione, Joni Mitchell, Tony Bennett and members of the Lawrence Welk Band. He also played with the New Yorkers Ragtime Jazz & Pepper Society which played on the Governor's barge in New York Harbor during the 1976 bicentennial.

After his retirement to PA, he played in the Lebanon Community Band, Lebanon Big Band, Gentlemen of Jazz, Rajah Concert Band, among several others.

He was a member of Myerstown U.C.C. where he directed the church choir for many years. A life member of the American Federation of Musicians, he was also a member of the Masonic Lodge F &AM of PA # 0062, West Reading, PA; Rajah Shriners, Blandon, PA and the American Legion Post 0945, Harrisburg, PA.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Sherry Kreis of Denver, Colorado, Deborah Kreis of Sanford, Maine, Linda wife of Douglas Ames of Sauquoit, New York, Carol Simpson of Richfield Springs, New York; sons Charles husband of Annie Kreis of Rockport, Massachusetts, Brian husband of Gladys Kreis of Schenectady, New York, Jeffrey husband of Lori Kreis of Stony Point, New York, Karl Kreis of Knoxville, Tennessee and Kevin husband of Deborah Kreis of Latham, New York; 24 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son Gregory Kreis and brothers Ralph and Robert Kreis.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7 p.m. from Myerstown UCC, 306 W. Main Ave., Myerstown, PA. Viewing Thursday from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. at the church. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Myerstown U.C.C., 310 W. Main Ave., Myerstown, PA 17067 or Gregory Kreis Memorial Fund, Glen Falls National Bank, 696 Upper Glen St., Queensbury, N.Y. 12804. Grose Funeral Home, Myerstown has been entrusted with the arrangements.