The Death of Talent

Carrie Mishler officially left this earth this evening, after being in a coma since Tuesday evening. I had only seen her once or twice since I moved back to Ohio, but I am sad as I think about her rather short time on earth. Dying at any time is too soon, but a young mother in her late 30's, leaving behind a husband and two teenage daughters, is too soon.

She was a hard person to get to know. I don't know all of the reasons, but sometimes she would be happy and talkative. Other times, she was silent and withdrawn. They used to sit in front of us in church, and on those talkative times, she would turn around and chat before church started. It seemed that one of her favorite things to talk about with me, was my marital status, or rather lack of it. Back when she attended church more regularly, it seemed every service she would harass me about my need to date and marry. I kind of missed that when it stopped.

She was very talented. She could draw beautifully, and sew, without patterns, as far as I know. Her daughters wore many beautiful dresses put together by her. I remember one time my dad was having a service that he needed some pictures of people showing different attitudes & dispositions. He gave Carrie the paper to make them on, and asked her to help him out. He was surprised at what he got back. The drawings were professional looking, and she did a marvelous job at putting the expressions on the faces. Dad felt bad - he wanted some simple drawings, and she had obviously put a lot of time and work into them, but maybe that is how she was. An artist who could only draw perfection.

As I watched her daughters last night at the program, one actually being in the play, and the other sitting with my niece, at our table while eating, my heart broke for them, and for their dad. How sad to lose their wife and mother, and all the more sad at this time of year. They will definitely be in our thoughts and prayers in these coming days, as they deal with this sudden loss and tragedy.

Carrie, you will be greatly missed. Maybe someone else can pick up the harassing of me about marriage, but I doubt anyone can take the empty place you have left in your home, and in the lives of your family. Rest in peace.

"SALEM -Carrie Dawn (Haight) Mishler 37, of Salem, Ohio died at 5:51 p.m. Friday at UPMC-Presbyterian Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
She was born on Aug. 21, 1971 in Warren, Pa. to Dennis Laverne and Marlyn (Enos) Haight Sr.
She has been a resident of the Salem area for over 15 years, coming from Pittsfield and Titusville, Pa areas. She was a homemaker, attended the Salem Allegheny Wesley Methodist Church, a graduate of the Titusville Wesleyan Academy and attended Allegheny Wesleyan College in Salem.
In addition to her parents of Salem, she is survived by her husband of 15 years, Darrin Lee Mishler, whom she married on Sept. 11, 1993, two daughters, Karissa Dawn Mishler and Kristina Loraine Mishler of the home, a sister, Mrs. Bryan (Rebecca Yvonne) Tiernay of South Shore, S.D., a brother Dennis Laverne (Cindy) Haight Jr. of Salem.
Services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Salem Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church 1095 Newgarden Ave., Salem with the Rev. Stanley Grabill and Rev, David Blowers Officiating. The burial will follow at Highland Memorial Park, Beloit, Ohio.
A time of visitation will be held on Monday from 6-9 p.m. at the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen Funeral Home 1617 East State St. and one hour prior to the services at the church.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Arbaugh-Pearce-Greenisen Funeral Home, Salem. In joint cooperation with the Scott Black Funeral Home, Stoneboro, Pa."