Bair, H. Landis (1893-1982)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1982 oct 14 p. 11

Birth date: 1893 May 1

H. LANDIS BAIR

H. Landis Bair was born May 1, 1893 near Mascot, Pa., the son of Wayne L. and Nora Landis Bair. As a young man he worked his way west, then had to return home for WWI registration.

In 1922 he married Elizabeth E. Mellinger of Strasburg. They had daughters, Anna, Ruth, Miriam and Martha, and a son, John M., who died of scarlet feber in 1934 at age 21 months.

In 1944 Elizabeth died after an illness of one year. In 1949 he married Esther Z. Mellinger of Hinkletown They adopted J. Mark in 1949.

Landis and Esther owned and operated Bairs Convalescent Home in Brownstown until his wife died in 1967. He then sold his home of 45 years and moved to Elizabethtown with his daughter and family.

He was a member of Carpenters Mennonite Church, where he attended faithfully until failing eyesight took his driving privileges.

Landis was a lover of nature, family historian, gardener, reader and a favorite Grandpa to 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He traveled to the West Coast three times, Florida about 12 times and also to Nova Scotia, as well as many shorter trips, but never by air!

He enjoyed good health until last Christmas. In April he had surgery. In May he planted 200-foot rows of potatoes. On June 2 he moved to Landis Homes, but because of rapidly failing health couldn't really enjoy his many friends there.

The evening of July 27, at the age of 89, he went away with Jesus. Family and friends celebrated his homegoing at Stumptown Mennonite Church. Amos Sauder preached and four Longnecker granddaughters sang.

He is survived by daughters, Anna Ruth (Mrs. Phares) Longenecker of Elizabethtown, Miriam E. (Mrs. Leon) Buchalter of Oxford, N.J. and martha (Mrs. Ben) Hershey of Immokalee, Fla.; son, J. Mark of Manheim; and a brother, Ivan of Leola.