10/31/2017

Obituary for Elizabeth "Betty" Helen Hempel

Wife of William Hempel, Funeral Director and Owner of Hempel Funeral Home

Elizabeth "Betty" Helen Hempel 
(November 24, 1938 - October 22, 2017)

Elizabeth (Betty) Helen Hempel (nee Esser), 78 years of age, and a resident of Amherst, was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, October 22, 2017. She was born on Nov. 24, 1938, Thanksgiving Day, in rural Auburn, Ohio. 

The daughter of parents who valued music, she began musical training on the piano at age 5. Transitioning to the pipe organ, Betty would receive her instruction through the Cleveland Institute of Music under the direction of Dr. Edwin Arthur Kraft and by age 12 performed her first organ concert at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, an experience she treasured all her life. For over 55 years Betty sought to use her love for music to glorify her Lord and Savor Jesus Christ through serving as church organist. Music, both classical and gospel would always hold great value to her, and for many years you could find her in the alto section of a choir. An avid gardener, Betty delighted working outside, and was also an accomplished quilter. 

On Sept. 5, 1959 Betty married her husband William (Bill) Hempel, and together they would go on to found the Hempel Funeral Home, a partnership of ministry to the Amherst, South Amherst and greater Lorain County area of Ohio for over fifty years. Though her work with her husband in the funeral home was important to her, it remained always secondary to her first love, that of being a wife, mother and grandmother. Betty also treasured her time invested in service to her Lord, and was active with her family in several area churches over the years, concluding with membership at First Baptist Church of Elyria. She served not only with her music and sewing skills, but was also dedicated to ladies Bible studies and serving alongside and supporting her husband. Her time spent in scripture reading was always a source of great enjoyment.

Left to treasure Betty's memory are her husband of fifty-eight years, William Paul Hempel; a daughter, Heidi E. (Stephen) Morrow of Henrietta Twp. and their sons, Stuart and Spencer; a son, Eric W. (Deborah) of Amherst and their sons William (Leighann) and Ryan; one great grandson expected in February; and a sister, Margaret (Ronald) Losik of Auburn, Oh.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Erich A. and Helen P. (Prazak) Esser.

Family and friends called Friday October 27, 2017 from 5 pm until 9 pm at the Hempel Funeral Home 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst, Ohio. Funeral services were held Saturday at 11 am at First Baptist Church, Elyria, 11400 LaGrange Road, Elyria, Ohio. The Rev. Patrick Odle and The Rev. Craig Golden officiated. Interment was at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Twp. 

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas Child" P.O. Box 3000, Boone, No Carolina, 28607-3000.

Bill Hempel would like to personally thank, for himself and his family, the nurses and aids of Mercy New Life Hospice, and the caregivers of Home Instead. They brought into our home a spirit of kindness, and a spirit of order. The knowledge and professionalism of each and every person was exceptional, and carried us through a very difficult time. Thank you very much. 

For those who were unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.