John Grube Landis

John Grube Landis, 82, of Breinigsville, PA, passed away on April 17, 2024. He was born on February 22, 1942, in Lancaster, PA. John will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and love for his family. He was an entrepreneurial farmer who created and owned Vynecrest Vineyards and Winery, starting in 1974, in addition to his 28 years of work as a chemical engineer at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. in Trexlertown, PA. John was a dedicated family man survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice Whitfield Landis, and his sons Benjamin Whitfield Landis and Samuel Wilson Landis. Ben is married to Lisa DiDario Landis, and they share their two daughters, Isabella Whitfield Landis and Gabriella DiDario Landis. Sam is married to Ashley Marie Landis, and share their son, Dalton Michael Landis. John was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Grube Landis and Harry Haverstick Landis, and his older brother, Thomas Haverstick Landis. John graduated from Warwick High School in Lititz, PA where he was an all-county athlete in football, basketball, and tennis. In college, John played football and tennis and was a member of Omicron Gamma Omega fraternity while earning a B.S. degree in mathematics from Moravian College. Completing a 3-2 program, he then went on to earn a B.S. degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering, also from Penn, where he was a member of the Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society. He enjoyed serving as a volunteer coach for his sons’; teams when they were growing up as well as reading, sailing, playing bridge with friends, Maine, and sharing wine with loved ones. Judging cakes at the Great Allentown Fair may have been his favorite hobby. John formally established Vynecrest, LLC with his wife, Jan, and proudly partnered with his son, Sam, when he joined the business in 2002. He loved his daughters-in-law like his own and was so proud of his sons. Seeing his granddaughters, Izzy and Gabby, go to college and his grandson, Dalton, be born, were the highlights of these past few years. John was active in the state’s efforts to grow the wine industry. He served as President of the PA Wine Association and Treasurer of the PA Wine Marketing Research Board. Locally, he served on the Board of the Lehigh County Authority and various committees in Upper Macungie Township to help preserve open space and farmland. He was honest, kind, treated others the way he wanted to be treated, and loved his wife and his family. He leaves a great and proud legacy that will continue. A private celebration of life will be planned by the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory can be made to Moravian University to support the Landis Endowed Scholarship Fund. Checks can be mailed to the Moravian Development Office at 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18020. The Schmoyer Funeral Home in Breinigsville, PA 18031 is assisting the family with arrangements.