Trail's End
DONALD GORDON RILLING, 77, passed away July 12 in St. Marys, Ga.“Farmer,” as he was known to his friends and family, had a successful career with Merck Pharmaceuticals ag division before retiring in 2002 after many years of service. He was very involved in promoting the livestock
MELVIN D. WINGER, 96, passed away Aug. 14 in Johnson, Kan. Alongside his father, he learned the value of hard work, which was the foundation of his business success. For more than 60 years, Melvin, along with his wife, Mona, built a farming and cattle operation that often included
industry in Colorado. Don was a founding member of the Colorado State University Beef Club and served two terms on the Colorado Livestock Association (CLA) Executive Committee. He was also a founding member of the CLA Allied Industry Council. He is survived by his wife, Janelle and two sons.
both family and friends as partners. In 1959, Melvin was honored as the Outstanding Farmer of Kansas. This was the first of many awards and recognitions Melvin received throughout his long life. In 2000, he was honored as the Top Producer of the year. Melvin is survived by his wife and two children.
RUDY "BUTCH" STANKO, 76, passed away Aug. 2. As a third- generation meat packer, "Buffalo Butch" built a meatpacking business powerhouse in the 1980s with plants in Nebraska, Colorado and Montana. In 1984, after his businesses closed, he went to Australia to write
STEPHEN (STEVE) JOHN IRSIK JR., 76, passed away Sept. 6 in Hays, Kan. From his early days in 4-H, Steve was always deeply and actively passionate about crops, soil, water, and cattle. After serving in the Air Force, he returned home to join his father in expanding their farming operation.
his autobiography, The Score , which chronicles his experience in the meatpacking industry. Through a storybook, colorful and legendary life –Rudy blazed his trail through the West with a hard-nosed work ethic, maverick ingenuity, a sharp eye and a tenacious entrepreneurial spirit. He is survived by five children and his 100-year-old mother.
He was a visionary entrepreneur who masterfully integrated the cattle and grain segments of a diverse business portfolio that spanned farming, ranching, dairy, feed milling and more. Steve’s business ventures were often the product of his adept abilities as a collaborator, often bringing many organizations and individuals together to the success of all. He is survived by his wife and two children.
On the Human Side
COMPANY Lallemand Animal Nutrition announces the expansion of its team with the addition of four people: Katelyn Dei , associate brand manager; Mandy Marks , territory business manager; Brandon Mazanec , territory business manager; and Josh Myers , field support specialist. Merck Animal Health has awarded $20,000 in scholarships to four future bovine veterinarians in partnership with the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) Foundation at the AVC summer conference. The 2023 scholarship recipients, each receiving $5,000, include: Hayley Leibel Bentz, South Dakota State University; Elizabeth Petersen, Texas Tech University School; Harrell Phillips III, Kansas State University; and Tanya Weber, Washington State University .
36
■ October | November ■ www.calfnews.net
CALF News
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator