Florence, SC Frank Cepero-Rivera, 68, of Florence, SC, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2012, in Columbia, SC after a long battle with lung cancer. He was born January 22, 1944 in Ponce, Puerto Rico to the late Frank Cepero Brewer and the late Maria Collazo Rivera. Frank is survived by his wife of 25 years, Linda Cepero; his siblings, Francisco Cepero of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Miriam Cepero of Clearwater, FL and Margarita Santos of Levittown Sta. Puerto Rico; his three children, Cindy Cepero Stockham, Jessica Cepero Sanchez and Frank Cepero; six step-children, Holly Zwill of Ocean Gate, NJ, Brian Emmen of Florence, SC, Sharon Crawford of Savannah, GA, Stephen Emmen of Conway, SC, Aaron Crawford of Savannah, GA and Ben Crawford of Conway, SC; 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Frank retired in 1988 after 25 years in the US Army. He served proudly and honorably, including three tours in Viet Nam. He was a member of the V.F.W. He was always known to be there to help others when they were in need. Frank was very proud of his Puerto Rican heritage. There will be a memorial service and burial with full military honors at the National Cemetery on National Cemetery Road in Florence, SC on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM. Family and friends will be received at the family home at 200 S. Franklin Dr., Florence, SC, directly after the service.