Nellie K. Hempfling, beloved pastor, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, and friend, passed into her eternal rest in Christ Jesus on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. She was 87.
Nellie was born on July 31, 1925, the daughter of the late Anthony and Ellen (Dunn) Russell. She was united in marriage on October 12, 1940 to Andrew W. Hempfling, who after 63 ½ years of marriage, preceded her in death on March 17, 2004.
Nellie worked at General Electric for several years until God’s work became a full time position in her life. She was pastor of the Gospel Tabernacle Church for 47 years, as well as founder of the Victory Valley Church Camp and Gospel Tabernacle Ministerial Association.
Nellie’s greatest love next to God’s work and her family was fishing. She spent many hours on the river bank or at some body of water with her fishing poles.
Nellie was affectionately known as "Mams" to her family and anyone else who felt at home in presence, which were many.
Surviving is her only daughter, Andrea Hempfling Keller of Cannelton, IN; four grandchildren, Dea Goad, Jolene (Brian) Hays and Tim Smith and Crissy Bramhall ; seven great-grandchildren, Drew Hays, Amber King, Hannah Beery, Rachel Goad, Timmy and Isaac Smith and Coddington Bramhall; four great-great grandchildren, Rebecca Weedman, Jasmyne Hays, Jackson Beery and Titus King; two brothers, Tony and Larry Russell, both of Tell City; two sisters, Elizabeth Lindauer of Troy and Delores Fern Lavertyof East Hartford, CT; the Gospel Tabernacle congregation members and many extended family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents and husband; sisters, Alta "Pearl" Stolz and Mary Glover and a brother, Doris Ray Russell.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at The Gospel Tabernacle Church in Cannelton. Rev.Gail Russell and Pastor Dea Goad will officiate. Burial will follow in Collins Chapel Cemetery.
Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, March 29, 2013 from 1:00-8:00 P.M. and Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until service time.
Zoercher-Gillick Funeral Home is handling arrangements, although all services will be held at Gospel Tabernacle Church 5425 Girls Scout Road, Cannelton, IN.
Memorial contributions may be made to Victory Valley Church Camp or Collins Chapel Cemetery.
Messages of condolence may made on line at www.zoercher-gillickfuneralhome.com
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