12/10/2025
James G. Greiner, loving husband, father, and grandfather, went home to be with the Lord on December 10, 2025. He was 92 years old.
Born at the home of his aunt and uncle in Ephrata, Jim was the son of the late J. Warren and Mary E. McQuate Greiner. He was the devoted husband of Margot A. Branchide Greiner, who passed away on May 25, 2006.
Jim grew up on a small farm west of Leola and graduated from Upper Leacock High School in 1950. He attended Franklin & Marshall College for two years before transferring to Penn State University, where he earned a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering.
After college, Jim was drafted into the United States Army and spent the majority of his two-year service with the 7th Army in Germany. When he returned home, he resumed his career at New Holland Machine Company (now CNH) in the Engineering Department. Over his nearly 40-year career, he served as a Project Engineer, designing a variety of forage equipment. Jim was awarded more than 10 patents and earned a place in the company’s Patent Honor Roll. He was a member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, becoming a Registered Professional Agricultural Engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1963.
Faith and service were central to Jim’s life. A lifelong member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Leola, he served on numerous committees, including Church Council. He was especially dedicated to the Cemetery Committee, leading its work as chairman for twenty years.
Jim was also deeply committed to his community. He joined the former Leacock Fire Company at a young age and served six years as President prior to its merger with the Leola Fire Company. He was a lifetime member of the Lancaster County Firemen’s Association.
In the late 1970s, he was appointed to the original Leola Water Authority and served as Chairman, later continuing his service with the Leola Water and Sewer Authority. He also served as an elected Upper Leacock Township Supervisor.
As a longtime member of the Bareville-Leola-Leacock Lions Club, Jim served as President and received both the Melvin Jones Fellow Award and the Ralph Taylor Award, recognizing his kindness and dedication to humanitarian service.
Jim’s greatest joy in life was his family. He treasured watching his children and grandchildren grow, celebrating their accomplishments, and attending their athletic, musical, and school events. Some of his happiest memories were made during the family’s many trips to Stone Harbor, where the simple pleasure of being together meant everything to him. He also enjoyed returning to Penn State as a season ticket holder for football games with his longtime friends, creating lasting memories and traditions that he treasured throughout his life. In addition, he enjoyed many spring and summer evenings working in his large vegetable garden and mowing with his John Deere tractor.
Jim is lovingly survived by his children, Keith Greiner and Cindy Smucker, married to Lloyd; and his three grandchildren—Paige, Regan, and Nicholas—who brought him immense pride and happiness. They will remember him always as a steady and loving presence—devoted to his family, steadfast in his faith, and generous with his time and talents. He was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Greiner survived by his wife Mary Ann.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 20th at Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Rd., Leola, with a visitation from 9:30 until the time of service. Interment will follow at Trumbauer Memorial Cemetery.
Contributions may be made in his memory to the Upper Leacock Fire Company, 50 W. Main St., Leola, PA 17540 or to Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, 18 Quarry Rd., Leola PA 17540.