Eugenia Weskiel
NEW CLEVELAND – With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Eugenia Weskiel, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who died peacefully at 1:40 p.m. on October 23, 2025, at Mercy Health St. Rita’s Hospital, Lima, Ohio. Eugenia was 97 years old. She was born in a small country home outside of Przemysl, Poland on February 22, 1928, to Piotr “Pete” and Maria (Hutman) Biega. She was the oldest of four children: Mary Biega (deceased), Joe Biega (deceased) and John Biega. She was taken as a young girl by the Germany Army in 1941 and made to work for the Germans on farms and various factories. She survived the turmoil of World War II and found herself at a refugee camp, where she met a young handsome Polish man named Walter Weskiel. They married on July 15, 1946, in Diez, Germany and together they started the beginning of their 56-year marriage. While in the refugee camp, two children were born, John and Donna. Wanting a better life for themselves and their children, they bravely immigrated to the United States. Their voyage began on December 15, 1951, when they left Diez and arrived at Ellis Island, New York on December 25, 1951. The journey continued and they found themselves in Toledo, Ohio on January 1, 1952, and with help of Father Schmelzer they set up their new life in New Cleveland. They built a life filled with Polish traditions, food and music. Eugenia was a survivor and hard worker. She spent hours in her flower beds and vegetable garden and loved to share the fruits of her labor. She was immensely proud of her Polish heritage and was extremely excited when John Paul II became Pope, even passing away a day after his feast day.
Eugenia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Walter; son, John; son-in-law, Vern Karhoff; and her siblings: Mary and Joe.
She is survived by her daughters: Donna Karhoff of Columbus Grove, Helen (Andrew) Doboze of New Cleveland and Susan (Dan) Hermiller of Miller City; six cherished grandchildren: Joshua (Cheryl), Andy (Sara) and Brent (Tiffany) Hermiller and Stephanie (Jason) Brown, Lisa (Jobe) Schroeder, Renee (Ryan) Leopold; and a step-grandson, Zach (Naomi) Doboze. Her greatest joy were her 26 great-grandchildren: Levi, Colton, Keaton, Will, Hannah, Gabe, Gavin, Eli, Zaylee and Lakyn Hermiller, Ethan, Emma, Mia, Ellie and Easton Brown, Calvin, Grant, Ava, Garrett, Mara and Caleb Schroeder, Graham and Jackson Leopold, and Seth, Liam and Quinn Doboze.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Riley, Jennifer, Allie, and Brooke at Putnam County HomeCare and Hospice for their care of mom.
Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 27, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic Church, New Cleveland with Fr. Scott Perry officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday and one hour prior to mass on Monday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.
