March 30, 2010

For more information contact:

Crystal Albers, assistant director of communications/web editor, 816-383-5134 or calbers@angus.org

Angus Community Mourns Loss of Three Breeders

The American Angus Association^® and the Angus community mourns the deaths of three Angus leaders in recent days. Below are brief obituaries for each cattleman, followed by links for more information.

Nicholas Wehrmann, Sr.

Nicholas Wehrmann, Sr., Wilkesboro, N.C., died at the age of 84, March 24 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Mr. Wehrmann was born March 31, 1925, in The Hague, Netherlands. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and became a U.S. citizen as a result of that service.

He was owner of Wehrmann-Angus, New Market, Va., with cattle partner and farm manager, Richard McClung. He served as president, CEO, and chairman of the Board of Directors at Ithaca Industries for many years. He served on the Board of Directors of The Health Foundation.

He was a member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church and was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Rose Van Dam Wehrmann.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Wehrmann of the home; one daughter, Diane L. Fulton, Greensboro; two sons, Nicholas J. Wehrmann and wife, Linda, Wilkesboro; Robert J. Wehrmann of Gastonia; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Click here for more.

Homer Wayne Wyble

Homer Wayne Wyble, Opelousas, La., passed away March 24 at the age of 71. Known to many as “Wayne,” his career included Wyble’s JP4 Ranch, Fred J. Wyble Oilfield Construction, Opelousas Concrete, Offshore Processing Service, Little Teche Farms, Farm Power and Fakouri Plumbing. His family’s We 7 Angus Farm was his passion.

After graduation from the Academy of the Immaculate Conception in 1955, he attended Louisiana State University (LSU) where he received his bachelor’s of science degree in animal science.

Mr. Wyble served on several boards, which included leadership positions for the American Angus Association Board of Directors from 1982 to 1988; Certified Angus Beef; Louisiana Angus Association; and others.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Baquet Wyble and their five children, Mark Wyble and wife Evelyn, Saint Joseph, Mo.; Wendy Napoli and husband Dean, Baton Rouge, La.; Sharon Branson and husband Craig, Breaux Bridge, La.; Shawn Wyble and wife Alyssa, League City, Texas; and Matt Wyble and wife Jennifer, Baton Rouge, La.; thirteen grandchildren; one brother, Fred Wyble, Opelousas; and two sisters: Mary Faith Thomasee, Wichita Falls, Texas; and Lorna Sue Miller, Opelousas, La.

Click here for more.

Donald Mack Eby

Donald Mack Eby passed away March 25, 2010 at Olathe Medical Center from complications with cancer. He was 65.

Mr. Eby was born March 22, 1945, in Newton, Kan., to Olin and Lorene (Prather) Eby. He graduated from Newton High School in 1963 and graduated from Wichita State University in 1967, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Following graduation, he enlisted in the National Guard and served at Fort Carson, Colo., as supply sergeant until 1970.

Mr. Eby married Judith Bickford on Sept. 10, 1966. For 20 years, he worked for Sisco Equipment, starting out as a salesman and working his way up until he became President. He expanded to Kansas City and moved to Olathe, Kan. He retired from Sisco in 1991.

Mr. Eby subsequently built Bickford Senior Living, an assisted living residence and also became instrumental in fashioning legislation for assisted living in several states.

He prepared himself to retire again by beginning a new business — Eby Ranch Co. near Emporia, Kan.

He is survived by his wife, Judie, Overland Park, Kan.; three sons, Mike, Joe and Andy and their families; and brother Richard Eby and wife, Overland Park, Kan.

Click here for more.

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