Otis Gruber, noted composer and musician, died Monday, May 6 1968 in Blessing hospital. Mr. Gruber was vice president of the Quincy Conservatory of Music, and was the great-Grandson of Franz Gruber, composer of the hymn, "Silent Night" 150 years ago. Mr. Gruber was born in Clayton Jan. 14, 1893, a son of Anthony and Sarah Elizabeth McCray Gruber. he began piano lessons at age of eight and continued his music studies during his high school years and three years as a student at Knox College in Galesburg, where he graduated in 1917. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during World War I. He was a member of the famous Navy Band stationed at Great Lakes, Ill. He later studied voice in Chicago, Boston, New York and Rome, Italy, and also studied under the great Maestro Mugyoni in Florence, Italy. He also taught voice at Kansas State University, and directed the men's glee club there. He moved to Danville in 1927, where he taught voice, piano and choir directing. In 1939, he organized the Danville Symphonic Choir, a group of 50 voices. He also directed the choirs of the Baptist and Presbyterian Churches while in Danville. Mr. Gruber in April 1956 moved to Quincy to accepting a position as instructor in voice at the Quincy Conservatory of Music. Among his many accomplishments, he composed many sacred musical works, 22 of which have been published through out the world. Surviving are a sister Mrs. Maude E. Adair of Quincy, with whom he made his home; a niece, Mrs. Frank (Isabelle) Baptist of Clayton; three grand-nieces, Mrs. James (Marsha) Dirksen of Quincy, Mrs. William (Barbara) Sinkus of Springfield and Mrs. Kenneth (Sarah) Grave of Glynco, Ga.,and a grandnephew, Craig Baptist of Clayton. He was preceded in death by a brother, two sisters and a niece. Burial will be in South Side cemetery at Clayton. Rewritten from obituary.