Dakota Bodell "Ophelia" Berg

Dakota Bodell “Ophelia” Berg, age 25, passed away on December 5, 2019, after a long battle with a disease often called heroin addiction. She lived in Cleveland and Mentor but her permanent home was with her family in Bath Township. She is survived by her grieving mother, Katrina Schiesswohl, and stepfather, Doug Schiesswohl, her brother Douglas Berg, and sisters Ava and Josie Schiesswohl. Other loved ones devastated by Dakota’s death are her grandparents, Carolyn Berg and Jim Brumbaugh of Mentor, Bob and Nancy Schiesswohl, and numerous cousins and family members, all of whom were affected by Dakota’s valiant struggle. She also is survived by her beloved dog, Keta, her “baby” who protected her and kept her safe.

Dakota was not only a daughter, sister, aunt, grandchild, cousin, and friend to many, she was also smart, kind, and had a wicked sense of humor and a laugh that warmed your heart. She gave great hugs. Dakota wrote beautiful and insightful poetry that came from the depths of her life experiences. She suffered from bi-polar illness and depression but when she was feeling good, she was vibrant and charming. We will miss that wonderful laugh and though her presence is gone, Dakota’s essence will remain.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 14th at Grace Church (Bath Campus), 754 Ghent Road, Akron, OH 44333 with calling hours beginning at 10 a.m. Friends will gather to honor Dakota’s life after services at the Schiesswohl home, 1844 North Revere Road., Akron, OH 44333.

The family wishes to identify Dakota’s cause of death: opioids. We need to name it, say it, and expose it because too many lives are being lost, dreams abruptly shattered, and families torn apart. No one wants to be an addict; that person is still a human being and somebody’s special someone. Dakota’s disease stole her life just as it has for so many others. The family of our dearest girl hopes her death will not have been in vain and that the disease of addiction to opioids will soon meet its own demise.

Donations in Dakota’s memory may be made to Hope United , P.O. Box 534, Uniontown, OH 44685.

Life as Weather

Standing on a hilltop,

the sun has long gone

The horizon a glowing streak

Lightning flashes on the plains below

A reminder that things change in an instant

The moon peeks out behind fierce thunderclouds

A thought that light shines out somewhere

A gust of wind blowing away the litter

Cleansing life of the debris from past choices

Rain runs down my face, feels cool

Washing away the remnants of my latest disaster

If you live in darkness too long

You forget that there is light

Life can return, smiles from tears, joy from pain

As long as there is love                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Dakota "Ophelia" Berg

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory - Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road, Akron, OH 44333.