Kriess Sr.

Fred “Lefty” Lewis Kriess Sr., 83, of Butler died Monday at his home surrounded by his family.

Born Oct. 1, 1927, in Connoquenessing, he was the son of George and Florence Kriess.

Mr. Kriess graduated from Butler High School in 1947.

He was a World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, and he was a member of the American Legion Post 778.

He also was a member of St. John's Reformed Church in Meridian, where he served on the consistory and was affectionately known as the “Tootsie Roll Man.”

After 39 years, Mr. Kriess retired as “Mr. Nice Guy” from Armco's galvanized maintenance department. He stayed active by delivering Meals on Wheels in Connoquenessing and volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Phoenix, Ariz.

Mr. Kriess also enjoyed woodworking, stained glass and gardening.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Edna Ruth (Kirker) Kriess, who he married Oct. 4, 1948; three children, Fred Kriess Jr. (Sandy) of Glendale, Ariz., Kathy Johns (Ernest) of Renfrew and Tracy Kriess of Butler; two sisters, Esther Kriess and Donna Hobaugh, both of Butler; a brother, Kenneth Kriess of Kennerdell; seven grandchildren, Stacy Downing, Danielle Durso, Leather Burchett, Jason Kriess, Matthew Kriess, Megan Kriess and Jack Bosancic Jr.; seven great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Charlie Downing, Ryleigh, Dylanne and Brayden Kriess and Rocky and Keira Burchett.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters.

<B>KRIESS </B>— Friends of Fred “Lefty” Lewis Kriess Sr., who died Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at <B>Boylan Funeral Home</B>, 116 E. Main St., Evans City. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John's Reformed Church, 494 Evans City Road/Route 68, Butler. Everyone, please meet at the church. Entombment will follow in Zelienople Community Mausoleum.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice, 154 Hindman Road, Butler, PA 16001 or to the American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.Online condolences and directions are available at www.boylanfuneralhome.com.