Wavel Geraldine "Jerry" Eagleson

Wavel Geraldine “Jerry” Eagleson, age 74, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully, Friday, February 16, 2024, in Park Village Southside following a seven-month battle with colon cancer. 

Born in Logan, Ohio on March 14, 1949, Jerry was a daughter of the late John P. and Norma J. VanCuran Eagleson.  

She attended New Philadelphia High School and furthered her education at the Tuscarawas Beauty School. 

Jerry brought about mixed emotions in those she met in life and struggled for many years with her mental health. She would give anyone the shirt off of her back and help them financially, often to her own detriment. Some might say she was a product of a failed mental health support system as many years passed before she was able to get the appropriate help and by that point, she had spiraled too far. Jerry did live life her way by doing whatever she wanted and could often be described as strong-willed and stubborn. Sometimes, the help or medications she could get weren’t enough or her own decisions made for a difficult situation in her survival. 

Despite her own battles, Jerry was outgoing, with a larger-than-life personality, when she was in a good place. She loved Ozzy Osborne, Elvis, thrifting, cooking, enjoying meals at the top of the hill at Tuscora Park, and above all, her grandchildren. She had a habit of giving those around her nicknames and created special terms of endearment for each of her grandkids. 

Jerry will be greatly missed by her daughters, Vanessa Meuhlen of New Philadelphia and Julie Prettyman of Dover, and her "adopted" son, Charlie Bevan; her grandchildren, Raquel, Cheyenne (Zac), Jonathan Dale, Hannah (Tiffany), and Meah (Jordan); two great-granddaughters, Ellie and Everly, and her sister, Mary (Rocky) Eichel. 

In addition to her parents, Jerry was preceded in death by a son, Dale Meuhlen. 

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone at Park Village Southside for their accepting nature, and wonderfully attentive care during Jerry’s final months. They would also like to remind anyone reading about Jerry’s life to schedule your colon cancer screening. It could save your life. 

A memorial gathering to celebrate her life is being planned for a later date. Cremation care is being handled by the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. 

The family requests contributions in Jerry’s name be directed to the ADAMHS Board, 119 Garland Drive SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.  

As Jerry would say: “Later” – as it’s never goodbye!