The Life of Rev. Donald B. Landis

The Reverend Donald B. Landis, 85, of Dryville, passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the loving and devoted husband of Madeline (Bauer) Landis, whom he married on July 13, 1963. Born in Souderton, PA, Donald was the son of the late Elmer F. and Lillian (Blank) Landis.

Reverend Landis was an Ordained Minister of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He was a 1950 graduate of Souderton High School; a 1954 graduate of Muhlenberg College; a 1957 graduate of The Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia; and a 1960 graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary.

From 1971 until his retirement in 1998, Reverend Landis served several parishes as their Pastor in Eastern Pennsylvania, including Becker's St. Peters Lutheran Church and Zion Moselem Lutheran Church, both of Richmond Township, as well as churches in Glenside, Bechtelsville, and Morrisville. Pastor Landis also served as an editor for the Lutheran Church's Fortress Press in Philadelphia from 1967 to 1970. Most recently, he served as a Visitation Pastor at Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kutztown, and was a member of Christ (Mertz) Lutheran Church, Dryville.

Reverend Landis served on several boards and committees of the church, including The Lutheran Inner Mission Society of Berks County, and recently celebrated his 60th Year Ordination Anniversary. Donald loved life and had many interests: sports, history, music, and spending time outdoors. 

In addition to his wife of 54 years, Madeline, Donald is survived by his two sons, Timothy Landis, M.D., husband of Rhonda (Baumgarten) Landis, Clifton Park, NY, and Michael Landis, husband of Cynthia (Thornton) Landis, of Elkins Park, PA; three grandchildren, Jacob, Kyle and Alexander; sister, Mary Lou (Landis) Mininger of Lansdale; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Reverend Donald B. Landis will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 201 East Main Street, Kutztown, with his Pastor, The Reverend Cheryl F. Meinschein officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the church. Burial will be private in Hope Cemetery, Dryville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Reverend Landis' memory to Christ (Mertz) Lutheran Church, 16 Fleetwood Road, Fleetwood, PA  19522 or to E.L.C.A. World Hunger, P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009. Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and  condolences may be shared at www.ludwickfh.com.