Anna Mae Catherine "Mert" Eischen

Anna Mae Catherine 'Mert' Eischen was born July 10, 1940 in Okarche to John Hoehner and Margaret Mary Schlirf Hoehner. Mert died a peaceful death on Sept. 17, 2004 at her home, surrounded by loving family and friends, following a brief but valiant battle with cancer. A lifelong Okarche resident, Mert graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1958. She wed Paul Eischen on April 18, 1964. Mert led an active, spiritual life. She was a noble, devoted and selfless wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. When she was a child, her father nicknamed her 'Myrtle,' after a character on the 'Fibber McGee and Molly' radio program. It was shortened to 'Mert,' which was how she was known from then on. In high school, she played basketball for Holy Trinity. After high school, she worked at St. Anthony's Hospital and OG&E, until she and Paul began their family. She also volunteered at Holy Trinity School and for Okarche Mobile Meals. She was a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Altar Society at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She enjoyed cross-stitching, solving crossword puzzles, ceramics, tennis, golf, walking and swimming with her grandchildren. She loved listening to OSU sports on the radio and taking trips to Las Vegas. Her children will remember her for the strong, positive woman she was. Mert had a great sense of humor and outlook on life. She was the consummate caregiver. She helped nurse her husband back to health following a serious car accident, all while tending to five young children. Most recently, she spent 52 continuous days caring for her daughter, Diane, in the hospital, only to be felled by her own terminal illness in the end. She was happy to be able to return home with her daughter and family, spending her final days with her loved ones. Her philosophy was that no matter how bad things were, someone certainly had it worse. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Norbert Hoehner. She is survived by her husband, Paul, of the home; three daughters, Diane Eischen, of the home; Donna Rother and husband, Kevin, of Clinton; and Debbie Brown and husband, Roger, of Edmond; two sons, David Eischen and wife, Shauna, of Rowlett, Texas; and Danny Eischen and wife, Lisa, of Kingfisher; six grandchildren, Caitlin and Carley Rother; Grayson Brown; Cameron, Weston and Megan Eischen; and David and Shauna's baby on the way; four brothers, Vernon Hoehner of Oklahoma City; Vincent Hoehner and Mark Hoehner, both of Edmond; and, Paul Hoehner of Sapulpa; and a host of family and friends. Wake services are set for 7:30 p.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Okarche. Mass of Christian burial will, be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, at Holy Trinity with interment at Holy Trinity Cemetery. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Integris Baptist Medical Center for their care of Mert and Diane, as well as VistaCare Hospice and all the friends and relatives for their numerous prayers and visits. In lieu, of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Holy Triniy Church. Mert was loved by all she knew and she smiled the whole day through. We shall miss her bright smile and all her loving ways. But we'll try to live for Jesus and meet her again, at the end of our days. Huber-Benson Funeral Home El Reno 262-1202