Melvin E. Lepper

March 4, 1924 — Sept. 30, 2016

Melvin Ervin Lepper passed away on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Mennonite Village in Albany.

Mel was born in Otis, Colorado, to John and Clara (Stelling) Lepper. He grew up in Colorado, Nebraska and Washington. He graduated from high school in Walla Walla, Washington, in 1942.  He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and reached the rank of Signalman Second Class, serving mostly in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and enrolled in Eastern Oregon College, majoring in education. He started teaching in Stanfield, Oregon. During the summers, he went back to EOC and received his master's segree.

That is where he met his future wife, Orpha LeFavor Boydston, a widow with two small children, Roger and Marcia. They were married on June 24, 1955.  Their son, Dale Douglas Lepper, was born on March 21, 1956. In the spring of 1957, Mel accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.  The family moved to Albany in 1960, and they were members of North Albany Baptist Church. When Dale was 18 years old and a senior in high school, he died in a car accident on May 10, 1974.

Mel was an educator for over 30 years. He really enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping with his family, boating and fishing.

Mel was preceded in death by his mother, father, his three brothers and one son.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, a stepson, a stepdaughter, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to North Albany Community Church, 1273 West Thornton Lake Drive N.W., Albany, OR 97321.

A funeral service will take place at North Albany Community Church on Saturday, October 8th at 1:00 PM with a reception following.

The burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at Willamette National Cemetery with full military honors.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements (aasum-dufour.com).