Gerald Dennis Quillen

Gerald D. Quillen, age 58, of Dover, died Tuesday, September 29, 2009, in Union Hospital at Dover following an extended battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease.Born in Twin City Hospital at Dennison on May 30, 1951, Jerry was a son of the late Gail A. Quillen and Patricia J. (Wright) Quillen-Metzger.As a graduate of Claymont High School’s class of 1969, Jerry spent his professional life in the sales field. For more than twenty-three years, Jerry worked for 7-Up-Royal Crown Company of Midvale followed by employment at Ruger Equipment and Kenworth of Canton. Jerry completed his career with Truck Sales and Service where he was a sales consultant with the Midvale firm for four years.Jerry was a longtime member of the Uhrichsville Elks Lodge, was actively involved with Boy Scout Troop 90 at New Philadelphia, and was an avid supporter of the Dover Marching Tornadoes and the Dover Steel Drum Band. He will be remembered as the supportive father “Dover Daddio” who would often travel hundreds of miles to be present at musical venues which involved his two sons. It did not matter if he was carrying equipment or listening to the same song for the hundredth time, Jerry looked forward to every opportunity and cherished it, as he was their number one fan. Jerry leaves behind a family that includes his wife of thirty-four years, the former Susan Harriff, whom he married on August 22, 1975; two sons, Joshua (Stephanie) Quillen of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Zachary Quillen of Athens, Ohio.Four siblings, Carol (Richard) Haas of Kent, Susie (Terry) Gray of Chippewa Lake, Nancy Quillen of New Philadelphia, and Curt (Melanie) Quillen of Tuscarawas; his mother-in-law Gloria Harriff; brother-in-law, Bob (Sherry) Harriff, all of Dover; and numerous nieces and nephews complete the family. In addition to his mother and father, Jerry was preceded in death by his step-father, Donald Metzger and his father-in-law, Robert E. Harriff.The family will receive guests on Sunday, October 4, 2009, from 2:00 Â? 5:00 P.M. in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. The Uhrichsville Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. will conduct a Lodge of Sorrow on Sunday at 5:00 PM. Jerry’s daughter-in-law, Stephanie Quillen, will lead a funeral service celebrating Jerry’s life on Monday, October 5, 2009, at 11:00 A.M. in the Dover Funeral Center. Following services, the family will host a reception in the Hospitality Room of the Dover Geib Center where a meal and fellowship will be shared.The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Dover Marching Band or Steel Drum Band, c/o Dover High School, 520 N. Walnut Street, Dover, Ohio 44622 or to Boy Scout Troop 90, c/o First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.