WINSTON-SALEM - Mr. Ewald Peter Janke, 94, passed away January 23, 2011 at Salem-towne Retirement Community. He was born June 13, 1916 in Brillion, WI to the late Edward Janke and Elsie Janke. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Pansy Elaine Hill Janke; a brother, Elmer; and a sister-in-law, Kathleen. Surviving are three sons, Peter (Diane) Janke of Great Falls, VA, Mark (Janice) Janke of Portage, MI, Timothy (Susan) Janke of Winston-Salem; a brother, Everett Janke of Glenn View, IL; seven grandchildren, Shannon, Nina, David, Daniel, Timothy, Karen, and Laura; four great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Anabelle Janke of Oshkosh, WI. From 1936 to 1950 his career included mechanical design, industrial engineering, and Chief Engineer with several companies. In 1950 Mr. Janke was Assistant Division Manager, Bolens Division of FMC Corporation. In 1964 he became Vice President-Manufacturing, Gravely Division of Clarke Gravely Corporation, a subsidiary of Studebaker Worthington Corporation. In 1972 Mr. Janke received a promotion to President and CEO of the company with major projects and achievements. In 1980 he held the position of President and CEO of Gravely International, Inc., a subsidiary of McGraw Edison, Inc. In 1984 he was Chairman of Gravely International, Inc., a subsidiary of Ariens Company and concurrently was President of EPJ Associates, Inc. Mr. Janke semi-retired in 1989 and continued with EPJ Associates on selective consulting projects and conducting executive conferences until he retired in 1995. He moved to Salemtowne Retirement Community in Winston-Salem in 2001. His greatest love was playing golf, and the accomplishment that he was most proud of was a trip sponsored by the United States to China to review their industrial business and report back to the United States Government. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 28, 2011 at Salemtowne Retirement Community with Dr. Randy Waugh officiating. The family would like to thank the staff at Salemtowne and Mr. Janke's longtime caregivers for their excellent service to our family. Memorials may be made to Salemtowne Residence Financial Assistance Fund, 1000 Salemtowne Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal on January 26, 2011
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