This article is one in a series of articles about what life looks like in Butler County ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. Stories in this series aim to showcase what it’s like to live, work, play and serve in Butler County during this moment in history.

Regular customers at Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market likely know Michael Tilko. Tilko is the friendly face behind the meat counter, known for quality service and friendly conversation.

Tilko was born and raised in Butler County and continues to build his life here. His experience working in a meatpacking plant and charming personality led Doug Sprankle, owner of Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market, to hire Tilko.

The business started in 1998 and opened its Saxonburg location in 2020, during the height of the pandemic. Before the store opened, Sprankle looked around at his competition when he stumbled upon Michael Tilko.

“Doug, the owner, recruited me,” said Tilko. “He kept walking through my department periodically and saw how I ran the department, and he knew I was the guy.”

Tilko didn’t plan on staying long at Sprankle’s. “I said, I’ll give you one year, and I’ll get your business up and running,” said Tilko. “Between him and his family, the work, and the customers, one year turned into five.”

While Tilko doesn’t mind his daily routine of preparing meat and evaluating its quality, his favorite part of the job is connecting with people. Over the years, Tilko has grown close to the customers he serves. Working in the local market has allowed Tilko to build relationships that go beyond the typical customer interaction.

“I know a lot of them by name; if I don’t know them by name, I know them by face,” Tilko said. “I also know what day they’re going to come in.”

When regular customers come to Sprankle’s, they can expect Tilko to brighten their day with lighthearted conversation. Tilko enjoys getting to know his customers’ lives and chatting about sports. For Tilko, the job is more than just preparing meat to sell, it’s about being a part of the community he’s known his entire life.

Tilko’s love for his job comes not only from customers but also from his crew. Having a solid crew that balances professionalism with humor and camaraderie is what makes the job entertaining for Tilko.

“We have a good time, but we get a lot of work done too,” said Tilko. “We make it enjoyable.”

From employees to customers, Butler County is defined by its warm, sociable community. According to Sprankle, businesses like Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market couldn’t exist without employees like Tilko, who see beyond the transactional side of business.

“We hire people with personalities, people who understand that customer service is more than just a transaction,” Sprankle said. “Mike, with his history of being in the meat business and being around people and customers, is just a great example of engaging with people.”

According to Tilko, the most challenging part of his job is meeting the expectations he sets for himself. Tilko prioritizes efficiency and quality in his job and wants to go above and beyond what’s expected of him. He attributes his dedication and attention to detail to the way he was raised.

“They say a community raises a child, and I come from a great area and a great community,” said Tilko.

Over the years, the work in Butler County has evolved to incorporate technology. Tilko admits technology has made his work more tedious.

Back in the day, meat products were wrapped in butcher paper, and black crayon was used to write the prices on them. Like many other stores, meat products now have printed labels and come in Styrofoam trays or vacuum-sealed bags.

Even though parts of the job require more steps, Tilko believes that it has made the quality better.

“We run a full-fledged shop, where we’re still making everything the way it should be made,” said Tilko.

Butler County continues to expand and change, which creates a unique atmosphere to work in.

“You have super modernization in Cranberry, and then you have the rural areas like Saxonburg and Sarver, so it’s a very interesting dynamic,” Sprankle said.

Sprankle’s has also shifted from hosting seasonal events to focusing on the business and helping the community in other ways. In years past, the grocery store organized an Octoberfest in Saxonburg.

“We found that there is more value in promoting the area through our podcast and social media platform than trying to be a competitor,” Sprankle stated.

Though Sprankle’s isn’t planning to host seasonal events any time soon, the business still supports other local events, such as Mingle on Main.

“I feel like our role now is more of a support role than an active role,” said Sprankle. “But now we see the value in helping other people put on their events.”

After five years at Sprankle’s and decades in the meat industry, Tilko still enjoys coming to work.

For Tilko, Butler County is more than just a place to work. It’s the community that raised him, shaped his work ethic, and gave him opportunities to connect with people.

In a county that continues to grow and change, Michael Tilko remains a familiar face who encourages people to keep coming back.