Emmett J. Dougherty

Emmett J. Dougherty, 85, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at LaSalle County Nursing Home, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at noon, Friday, December 23 at St. Francis of Assisi Church with Rev. Augustin Kassa officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30 am, prior to the services, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery, with full military honors. Emmett was born December 31, 1930 in Ottawa to Edmund and Katherine (Halm) Dougherty. He married Mary Lou Crowley on August 1, 1959 in LaSalle; she passed away December 15, 2003. Emmett was a proud member of the United States Air Force, serving from 1951-1955 in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He was an insurance agent for Met Life for many years, and was an avid golfer. Emmett was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church and Knights of Columbus. He is survived by two daughters, Kelli (Ron) Peddicord of Marseilles, and Susan (Steve) Gerding of Joliet; a son, Patrick of Ottawa; four grandchildren, Michelle (Ryan) Helland, Dan Peddicord, and Connor and Kendall Gerding; and one great-grandson, Paxton Helland; two sisters, Mary Ann Holm, and Rita (Brad) Petersen; one brother Bill (Lori) Dougherty. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one brother, Glen "Joe" Dougherty; and one sister, Jean Leonard. Memorials may be directed to St. Francis of Assisi Church or Knights of Columbus.