John Peter Rostan, III

John Peter Rostan, III, 81, of Valdese, NC passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at his residence after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

John was born on December 15, 1943 to the late John Peter Rostan, Jr. and Naomi Bounous Rostan in Valdese. He graduated from Davidson College in 1966 and received his MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1968. While in graduate school, he married the love of his life, Janice, and they spent the next fifty-nine years together.

After graduation, John returned to his beloved hometown to work at Waldensian Bakeries, Inc., the company founded by his grandfather in 1915. During his first six years back in Valdese, he also served in the North Carolina Army National Guard. John retired from the bakery as senior vice-president, when it was sold in 1994.

Surviving are his wife, Janice Hurst Rostan of the home, a son, Mark Rostan and wife Leslie of Valdese, a daughter, Michelle Rostan Frenzel and husband Kelly of Charlotte, and a brother, James Rostan and wife Linda of Valdese. Also surviving are his dearly loved grandchildren, Burke Frenzel and Anna Grace Frenzel, niece Kimberly Rostan (Matt Johnston) of Spartanburg, SC, nephew David Rostan (Stephanie Chan) of New York, NY, and Melinda Williams (Jimmy) of La Grange, TX, as well as six special great-nieces and his two devoted dogs, Sam and Herbie. The family is grateful for the care and support provided by two caregivers who were present for much of his journey, Chrystal Wedderburn and Jessaca Brown.

John always liked to give back to the community that gave him so much and did so through his service on many local non-profit boards, including: Blue Ridge Healthcare Foundation, Valdese General Hospital, Burke County Chamber of Commerce, Burke Education Foundation, and the Western Piedmont Foundation. He also served on the Rostan Family Foundation since its creation and on the Valdese Planning Board, UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Visitors, and First Union National Bank’s audit committee in Charlotte.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, cheering on his Tar Heels and Wildcats, looking for high-potential stocks, taking on small projects around the house, and spending time with the many cats and dogs that were fortunate to have found a home with him and Janice.

One of his favorite memories was helping coach the Rutherford College Elementary School 5th Grade Math Counts team to the county championship. He was so proud of the team that he treated the entire school to ice cream sundaes from Myra’s.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 6, 2025, in the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Matt Matthews, Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews, and Rev. Dr. Kevin Frederick officiating. The family will receive friends in the narthex of the church after the service and a reception will be held in the LPDA clubhouse at 301 Laurel Street, SE, near the Valdese Community Center.

Memorials may be made to the Waldensian Heritage Foundation (Museum,) Blue Ridge Healthcare Foundation, VIA Health Partners Hospice and Palliative Care, or the charity of one’s choice.