Heaven gained a wonderful man as Earsel H. Stemple, 96, of Buckhannon, awakened to eternal life on Sunday, December 20, 2020. He passed at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown and under the compassionate care of WVU Medicine Hospice.
He was born in Philippi on October 16, 1924, a son of the late Glen Andrew and Oda Faye Murphy Stemple.
On September 6, 1944, all of Earsel’s dreams came true when he married the love of his life, Mardell Snyder. Together they remained united in marriage for 76 amazing years and shared the joys of raising their three daughters.
Forever cherishing their memories of Earsel are his wife, Mardell Stemple of Buckhannon; three daughters: Sandra Bennett, Rebecca Jackson and husband, Doug, and Melodie Stemple and husband, Scott Tennant, all of Buckhannon; two grandchildren: Sarah Harper and husband, John, of Charles Town, and Steven Bennett and wife, Amanda, of Millwood; three great-grandchildren: Zoe Harper, Kayleigh Bennett, and Hallie Bennett; two brothers: Virgil Stemple of Bel Air, Md., and Terry Stemple and wife, Irene, of Harvest, Ala.; and several nieces and nephews.
Earsel graduated from Upshur High School in the class of 1943. His love for the Lord was the guiding light of his life, followed closely by his devotion to his wife and family. He was a member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church where he was very active as a past trustee, Sunday school teacher, chair member for campaign funding of a new church, and a member of the choir. Earsel was also a Master Mason with the West Virginia Grand Lodge AF & AM Rock Cave Lodge 81 and a member of the Osiris Shriners in Wheeling.
He spent a short time with the W.Va. State Road before entering the coal mines. Earsel was a superintendent for Badger Coal Company and Pittson Coal Company and retired after 35 years in the mines.
As a young man he played semi-pro baseball for several local teams and had a great passion for the sport. Earsel treasured being able to share his love for the game with his family. He also loved sharing his hobbies with his children and grandchildren and taught them all how to hunt and fish. Earsel adored being outdoors whether he was tending to his garden, mowing grass, or camping with his family. He was a great inspiration to many and will be missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church and mailed to 88 S. Kanawha Street, Buckhannon, WV, 26201, or the Salvation Army and mailed to 21 North Spring Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201.
In keeping with Earsel’s wishes, services will be private with interment at Upshur County Memorial Park in Buckhannon.
We, at Clutter Funeral and Cremation located at 21 Elnora Circle in Buckhannon, are honored and privileged to serve the family of Earsel H. Stemple. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ClutterFuneralHome.com.
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