CWO2 Merton D. Pepper, U.S. Army, retired, veteran of 23 ½ years, passed away on December 31, 2015, at the age of 81 1/2 after a lengthy illness. Merton was born on May 18, 1934, in Goshen, Indiana; the son of David A. Pepper and Opal V. Burson Pepper. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 ½ years Julia Ann Templin Pepper, his children, Sonia Haub of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Sabrina Figert and son-in-law Dario of San Angelo, Texas; sons Brent James and Steven of Mason, Texas.