He entered the United States Army Air Force in 1943 and served as a heavy equipment operator in North Africa, serving as a PFC until 1949. After leaving the service, he attended auto mechanics school in Texas on the GI Bill.

Joe and his wife lived in the Kansas City area for two years during the 1951 flood, after which he moved back to Salina and worked as an auto mechanic for several local dealerships and enjoyed working on race cars for Roy Heath. He owned and operated Medve Auto and Implement Repair, Assaria, from 1965 to 1976. He then worked as a mechanic for the Kansas State Department of Transportation, retiring in 1989.

Joe and his wife of 68 years were married April 24, 1948, in Salina. Joe was an avid fisherman, hunter, bowler and, in 1968, found his love of golf.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Simona, in 2007; his parents; one son-in-law, David Klanke, in 2005; brothers, John, Emery, Andrew and Bill; and his sisters, Mary, Julia and Margaret.

He is survived by two daughters, Judy Klanke and Gerardette “Gerry” Nicolay and husband Rob, all of Salina; one grandchild, Christina Golladay; one sister, Helen Panak, Williamsport, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with a vigil at 6:30 p.m. at Ryan Mortuary, 137 N. Eighth St., Salina, KS 67401.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, corner of Ninth and Iron, Salina, with Father Allen Scheer officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Salina.

Memorials are suggested to the cathedral or Bethany Home, Lindsborg.