E. Paul Stemple, 98, a life long resident of Aurora, died at Davis Memorial Hospital in Elkins, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002. He had been living independently until recently and death was unexpected.
The second of seven children, he was born in Preston County on Feb. 2, 1904, the son of Amos and Lillie Stemple.
He was a graduate of Shepherd College and Fairmont State College and was a well known and respected teacher and principal in the Preston County schools for 44 years.
On May 20, 1932, he married Opal Marie Kidwell of Davis, also a Shepherd College graduate and teacher in Preston County. She preceded him in death on May 22, 1992.
Also preceding him in death are a son, Jack Lynn Stemple, July 1981 of Herndon, Va.; a daughter-in-law, Phyllis Cavalier Stemple, August 1994; a great-granddaughter, Joanne Stemple, March 1990, of High Bridge, N.J.; and a son-in-law, Ray Williams of New Raymer, Colo.
He is survived by a sister, Kathryn Stemple Harvey of Clarksburg; two sons, Stephen Stemple and Margie Sutton, Elkins, Philip and Marie Stemple of Basking Ridge, N.J.; two daughters, Nancy Stemple Williams of New Raymer, Colo., and Janet Selders Stemple Kinneer of Herndon, Va.; five grandchildren, Mike and Sharon Stemple Hinchman, Elkins, Alan and Patty Stemple, Mesa, Ariz., Mike and Janice Stemple, High Bridge, N.J., Melissa Stemple, Brooklyn, N.Y., Meridith and Matthew Stemple, Basking Ridge, N.J.; five great-grandchildren, Kristin Stemple Hinchman, Andrew Stemple Hinchman of Elkins, Jennifer, Brian and Timothy Stemple of High Bridge, N.J.
Mr. Stemple had been a volunteer at Cortland Acres Nursing Home, Thomas, for the past 12 years. He yearly volunteered to help make applebutter at the Burlington Children’s Home. He was a member of the Aurora United Methodist Church, having served as Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He was a member of the West Virginia Retired Teachers Association, The Order of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias of Kingwood. He was an avid reader and gardener.
Friends will be received at the Aurora Memorial Building Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Aurora United Methodist Church on Saturday at 1 p.m. with Dr. Rev. Elis Conley and the Rev. Michael Ludle officiating. Interment will follow in Aurora Cemetery. Hinkle Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
