Charles William Reus, 83, of Berryville, Virginia, formerly of Lancaster, died Thursday, January 15, 2009 in the Blue Ridge Hospice Residential Center in Winchester, Virginia.

Mr. Reus was born August 24, 1925 in Lancaster, the son of William Henry and Amelia Elizabeth Tragesser Reus.

He was a graduate of Lancaster Catholic High School, Class of 1943 and graduated from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science, Class of 1950. He was a retired pharmacist with People's Drug Store.

He served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during WWII as a staff sergeant. He was a Tail Gunner of a B-24J Liberator. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross medal and the Air Medal.

He was a member of St. Bridget's Chapel in the Field Catholic Church in Berryville and St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church in Lancaster. He was a member of the American Legion Post #0034 in Lancaster, a life member of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Historical Society, life member of the Second Air Division Association, life member of the 453rd Bombardment Group (H) Association, member of Air Force Gunner's Association, and lifetime charter member of National WWII Memorial.

He married Elizabeth Jane Griffin Reus on October 17, 1964 in Lancaster. Mrs. Reus died on October 29, 1997.

Surviving are a daughter, Carolyn M. Kruza, her husband, V. T. Kruza and their children, Gregory T. R. Kruza and Meredith M. R. Kruza, all of Berryville, VA; and two sisters, Marcia G. Reus of Lancaster, and Sister Jane Frances Reus of Kensington, MD.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, with Father Mark E. Weiss officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Lancaster.

The family will receive friends 7:00-9:00 PM Tuesday evening at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 441 North George St., Millersville, and 10:00-11:00 AM Wednesday at the church prior the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, VA 22601 or to National World War II Memorial, American Battle Monuments Commission, P O Box 96766, Washington, DC 20090-6766.