Carlon J. Pepke, age 81, of Merrill, passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Carlon was born December 6, 1939, in the town of Scott, Lincoln County, son of the late Otto and Helen (Kleinschmidt) Pepke. He married Virginia Weiler on September 15, 1962, in Athens, and she preceded him in death in March of 1985. Carlon married Darlene Stark on May 19, 1989, and she survives. Carlon began his working career as a farmer in the Goodrich area. He then went to work as a cheesemaker for Kraft in Milan, Wisconsin, and at the time of his retirement, Carlon was working for Lincoln Wood Products in Merrill. Carlon enjoyed sports. He played baseball in high school and later in the county leagues. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and was a fan of the Brewers and Packers. Carlon was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill.
Carlon is survived by his wife, Darlene Pepke of Merrill; his daughters, Linda (Cary) Beran of Milan, Brenda (Brian) Hedlund of Medford, and Sue (Ed) Pernsteiner of Merrill; his sons, Brad (Kathy) Pepke of Merrill, Jeff (Nick) Stark of Desplaines, Illinois, Mike (Ali) Stark of Neenah, and Pat Stark of Merrill; his grandchildren, Jordan (Jackie) Beran, Tyler (Samantha) Beran, Brice (Sarah) Hedlund, Brittney (Nick) Bann, Brock (Inger) Hedlund, Brett Hedlund, Maverick Pernsteiner (with fiancé, Taylor), Remington (Matt) Pernsteiner, Rhylee Pernsteiner, Tyler Cannon (with fiancé, Ali), Dan Pepke, and Aiden and Clara Stark; his great grandchildren, Kelsi, Lexi, Jacob, Cash, Sawyer, Sean, Liam, Seamus, Judah, Abram, Selah, Eliana, Corbin, and one on the way; and two brothers, Arlen (JoAnne) Pepke and Medford, and Gerald (Joan) Pepke of Great Falls, Montana. Besides his parents and first wife, Carlon is preceded in death by his twin daughters Lisa and Lori in 1965; a grandson Dillon Cannon; and his sister Arlene Meline who also passed away on the same day as Carlon.
The funeral will begin at 11:00 AM Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill. Burial will take place at a later date in the Athens Cemetery, Athens, Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, November 5th at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and again after 9:30 AM Saturday at the church. The service will be live streamed. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.