What is the origin and meaning of the word jeezul?

"Jeezul is an expression of surprised emphasis along the lines of 'yikes' or 'whoa'. People in Cincinnati say it all the time, along with its extended form 'jeezul Pete'. The area is midwestern Catholic dense, so I expect the expression is some sort of Jesus / Old St Peter contraction."
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Jeezle-Petes

[Link corrected and instructions clarified on December 1, 2016 by shuehorn]

I think that's pretty close -- I dug this up:

I noticed that your caller on this show was from Cincinatti. His favorite phrase was "Jeezle Pete" and that is the way he spelled it the podcast.

I'm from Pittsburgh, we always knew this phrase as "Jeez Oh Pete" and it sounded like that was the way Martha pronounced it.

This is post number 10 on that site.

http://www.waywordradio.org/discussion/episodes-1/cut-to-the-chase-full-episode-1/

Geez-o-pete!": Related: "Geez-Louise!" A Michigan expletive for polite company, having something to do with Jesus and St. Peter. The funny thing about this one is that in Cincinnati, they say "GEE-zle." In Ireland: "JAYsus.

http://www.michigannative.com/ma_wordsphrases.shtml

[Quotes attributed and instructions clarified on December 1, 2016 by shuehorn]