WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Charles R. Daugherty, age 89, of Three Rivers, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at the Bowman House where he resided following a brief illness. He was born in Allegan, MI. on Aug. 3, 1924 the son of the late J. Clark and Francis (Eastbaugh) Daugherty.
His father, originally a farmer, then furniture tradesman and finally a baker moved the family to Vicksburg and opened a bakery there in the 30’s. In 1940 while Chuck was halfway through his junior year of high school his father moved the bakery to Three Rivers. It was during this time that Chuck ended up being seated next to his high school sweetheart and future wife Nola Dehn as they were seated alphabetically in home room.
Chuck played football for Three Rivers where he played offensive and defensive positions and also performed in the band. He wore only the one uniform even during the halftime performance in the band.
He loved playing his trombone and playing in a big band. He was deeply involved in music and played in numerous different bands all throughout his life. He was a big influence musically with all of his children as they have all been musically inclined.
After graduation from high school in 1942 he enlisted in the navy air corp and earned his wings as an ensign J G and learned to fly from basic trainers (BT-13) to the SNJ and the Stearman PT-13 to eventually multi-engines aircraft ending up in the Pacific theater flying the R5D which is the Navy designate for the four engine Douglas DC-4 between the allied controlled islands until the end of the war..
While stationed in Texas he proposed and sent for his high school sweetheart Nola Dehn to come to Texas and get married. They did so on May 15, 1944 which began a long and happy marriage for 54 years before her death to cancer in 1998. He remarried Jean Hudson in 1999 until her death in 2012.
He went to the University of Michigan after the war on the GI bill and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering while raising two children at the time. After graduation he worked for Nola’s uncle in a heating and air conditioning company located in Three Rivers for two years before being hired at Armstrong Machine Works in 1952. He spent 35 years at Armstrong going from a sales engineer position to sales manager to eventually vice president of sales retiring in 1987.
Chuck Daugherty leaves to cherish his loving memory, one sister Betty Timmer of Crescent City, California, four children, Lawrence (Jody) Daugherty, of Marcellus, MI., Pat Daugherty of Boise, ID, James “Jim” (Linette) Daugherty, and Penny (Bill) Gearhart, both of Three Rivers; 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Memorial services for Mr. Charles Daugherty will be held at a later date. Arrangements being handled by the Hohner Funeral Home. Memorials in memory of Charles can be donated to Newberg Norton Bible Church, 11256 Hoffman Road, Marcellus, Michigan 49067. Envelopes available at Hohner Funeral Home in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hohnerfh.com.
