John Grube Landis, 82, of Breinigsville, died on April 17, 2024.

Born Feb. 22, 1942, in Lancaster, he will be remembered for his kindness, humor and love for his family.

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., Trexlertown.

A dedicated family man, he is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice Whitfield Landis, and his sons Benjamin Whitfield Landis and his wife Lisa DiDario Landis, and their two daughters, Isabella Whitfield Landis and Gabriella DiDario Landis. and Samuel Wilson Landis and his wife, Ashley Marie Landis, and their son, Dalton Michael Landis.

He was predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth Grube Landis and Harry Haverstick Landis, and his older brother, Thomas Haverstick Landis.

A graduate of Warwick High School, Lititz, where he was an all-county athlete in football, basketball, and tennis.

In college, he played football and tennis and was a member of Omicron Gamma Omega fraternity while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Moravian College.

Completing a 3-2 program, he earn a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as his Master of Science degree and Ph.D. in chemical engineering,

At Penn, 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.

He 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.

He was active in the state’s efforts to grow the wine industry.

He served as president of the Pennsylvania Wine Association and Treasurer of the Pennsylvania 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 his memory may be made to Moravian University to support the Landis Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Mail checks to the Moravian Development Office, 1200 Main St., Bethlehem, PA 18020.

Arrangements made by Schmoyer Funeral Home, Breinigsville.