Lowell “Bugsy” Eagleson (68) of Toledo

Lowell ‘Bugsy’ Eagleson, 68, of Toledo, IL passed away on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at his residence.

He was a carpenter, catcher of fishes, collector of oddities, lover of music, beers, and pipe smoking. He was Cumberland County’s Mark Twain, a teller of tall and somewhat-true stories, practical joker, and snappy dresser. His twisted sense of humor was only matched by his twisted golf clubs. Bugsy passed as he lived, aware, grumpy, belligerent, and always honest. He remained a 1960’s activist with the ever-present “Question Authority” pin on his collar and a sign on his door reading, “Hippies use the back door.” Memorable to all who knew him, his true pride was always his children and grandchildren.

Bugsy was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Betty Eagleson, and his daughter, Michelle ‘Shelly” Dunn.

He was loved and will be missed by his daughter, Chenoa Anderson of Champaign IL, son, Dale Gentry of Wyoming, sister Angie Decker of Greenup, IL. and his seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Bugsy had a rabid passion for music. Rarely would a concert come to town which wouldn’t have Bugs in attendance. He was active in the local, regional and national music scenes. A sound tech with a notch in his hearing and a penchant for frustrating his band mates, his hotel room door was always open after the show so that Bugs could critique the band’s performance leaving the members doubled over with laughter, usually at their own expense. He played the Preakness in Baltimore MD, danced with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Beverly Lee of the Shirelles, and traded jokes with Father Guido Sarducci of Saturday Night Live fame. He also pushed members of his band down inclines on luggage carts in a sport of his own invention known as the ‘Lobby Luge” and had the habit of tying hors d'oeuvres to balloons and watching them float away at weddings and other celebrations. Bugsy often amused himself by tagging his band members with pieces of duct tape on the backs of their suits. He loved magic shops but hated magic. He listened to his music loud, read science fiction, and his punctuality couldn’t be rivaled. Often hilarious without intention, he coined the phrase, “I’m not sure I understand everything I know about this.” Ponder that for a moment. In 1992 Bugsy joined a local band of misfits and ne'er-do-wells known as Dr Wu’s Rock n Soul Revue. He was often mentor, father figure, critic and cheerleader. He and the band cluelessly stormed America in a van with no heat, no air conditioning, and lacking windshield wipers. More than a sound tech, he was a brother, spreading great music, good times, thousands of arguments and hundreds upon hundreds of live shows. One could catch him dancing behind the soundboard when the band was really cooking. As much as Bugsy is missed, he wouldn’t want his many friends and bandmates to grieve (ok, maybe he’d want us to be a little sad), but upon the news of Bugsy’s passing, stories of his mischief, good-natured ribbing, storytelling, and country wisdom overwhelmed the conversation. As Bugsy arrives to load in his gear at the Pearly Gates of Rock n Roll Heaven, don’t be surprised if Saint Peter awakens with a piece of duct tape on the back of his robe while Bugs ignores Jim Morrison’s complaint that he can’t hear himself in the monitor .

Your legend will be passed on in story and verse for years to come. You are loved and will be missed by family, friends and the music community. You were truly one of a kind.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 19th from 5-7pm at Barkley Funeral Chapel in Toledo, IL. A celebration of Bugsy’s life will be held immediately after at the Toledo American Legion. Memorials may be made to the ACLU (www.aclu.org) Online condolences may be left by clicking here.