James Nicholas Stemple

James Nicholas Stemple, Sr., 86, died on June 18, 2025 at his home in Oakland, Maryland. Born in Shaw, West Virginia on January 24, 1939, to the late Joseph N. and Margaret P. (Spessert) Stemple.

James graduated from Elk Garden High School. Since a young child God had his hand on Nick. Continually through childhood and as a teenager, the Holy Spirit guided Nick no matter his resistance to the call upon his life. Finally, he yielded his life to God to go and do where God would lead. A call to serve God wholeheartedly without wavering. His life is an example of standing firm on the true Word of God. Finally in 1959, Nick attended Zion Bible Institute in East Providence, Rhode Island. Soon he met his bride to be, Betty L. Wilson. They were married on September 24, 1961. Nick worked as a salesman for Pennzoil and delivered Sunbeam bread. He completed his Bible training through the Berean School of the Bible. He became a pastor in 1966 with the Assemblies of God. On July 11, 1973, he became an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God. He pastored the following in chronological order: Burlington Assembly of God in Burlington, WV; Maple Grove Assembly of God in Horse Shoe Run, WV; First Assembly of God in Elkins, WV; Faith Assembly of God in Petersburg, WV; Buxton Assembly of God in Buxton, NC; Poplar Branch Assembly of God in Poplar Branch, NC; Glendale Assembly of God in Coalport, PA; Marantha Assembly of God in Brownsville, PA; Greenridge Assembly of God in Green Ridge, MD. Nick & Betty retired in 2009 to Oakland, MD and began ministering in churches who needed a fill-in minister.

He is survived by his sons, James Stemple and wife Sharon of Keene, NH, and Philip Stemple of State College, PA; daughter, Elaine Stemple of Oakland, MD; granddaughter, Priscilla Stemple of Pleasant Gap, PA, and grandson, James Stemple, III of Oakland, MD; great grandchildren, Kenneth Squires, IV, Serenity Squires, James Stemple IV, Carter Stemple, Jace Stemple, and Willow Stemple; sisters, Regina Hoofnagle husband Paul of Brighton, CO, and Lena Keplinger and husband David of Elk Garden, WV; and many nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Betty L. (Wilson) Stemple, daughter, Darlene L. Stemple, and sister, Jackie Martin.

Friends will be received on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM, at the Lakeside Assembly of God Church, 18012 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 1 PM in the church, with Pastor James Stemple officiating. Interment will follow in the Deer Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made "In Memory of James N. Stemple", to the Lakeside Assembly of God Children's Ministry, 18012 Garrett Hwy Oakland, MD 21550 or to Hospice of Garrett County, PO Box 271 Oakland, MD 21550.

The Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes, P.A. - Oakland Chaplel, is honored to be serving the Stemple family at this time.