Ronald "Ron" Wayne Pepin

Ronald “Ron” Wayne Pepin, 87 of Black Mountain, North Carolina passed into the arms of his loving Savior on October 12, 2025. He was born on February 19, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois to the late William J. Pepin and Agnes J. (Kaeding) Pepin.

Ron was preceded in death by sister Emily Pepin, his parents, grandson Griffin Nickerson and his loving wife of 54 years, Caryl McIntosh Pepin.

He is survived by his son Mark Pepin (Cathy) of Canton NC, daughter Janet Pepin Schallhorn (Jon) of Black Mountain, NC, grandchildren Cameron and Brendan Nickerson, Austyn Pepin, Kelly Allen, Hollie Lovell, Cory and Hope Schallhorn, and great-grandchildren Arrow Powers, Jadyn and Lexie Lovell, and Jasper Schallhorn.

After graduating high school at Luther South in Chicago, Illinois, Ron went on to earn a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering at Bradley University. He began his career at GTE A&E as an electrical engineer, moving up into management which resulted in a family move to Dunedin, Florida in 1981. Ron and his wife Caryl moved to Black Mountain, NC in 1993 to help care for their aging parents. It was at this time that Ron began working his dream job at Town Hardware and General Store in Black Mountain. He quickly became known as the repair guy who could and would fix anything, usually with a pun attached. His cheerful countenance and love for serving others was a blessing to the store and its customers for 31 years. Ron was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, serving in prayer ministry and singing with the choir.

Ron (and Caryl) had a great love of animals, owning and fostering multitudes of dogs and cats over the years. His home and heart was always open to friends in need. He loved gardening, helping others with home repairs, Cubs baseball, his 1975 Studebaker Avanti, lemon meringue pie, and most of all spending time with his family.

Ron’s life was defined by kindness and service to his community. His legacy will live on in his family and the countless lives he touched through his service to others in the name of his Lord.

In lieu of flowers, Ron requested donations be made to www./rustyslegacync.com in honor of his beloved canine companion Buttercup.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday November 1, 2025 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Asheville, NC.