John Dougherty

John "JD" Dougherty, 61, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, February 28, 2022 at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital after a long battle with leukemia.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 4, at Ottawa Funeral Home from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian burial will be on Saturday, March 5, at 10:00 am at St. Columba Catholic Church, with Rev. Bruno Byomuhangi officiating. Friends and guests are asked to please meet the family at church. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery. The family asks that everyone wear masks and practice social distancing.

John was born November 11, 1960, in Ottawa, IL to John Jay and Evelyn (Parks) Dougherty. He married Sharon Rowe on July 25, 2015 at Walsh Park in Ottawa.

JD was a proud member of Local 597 pipefitters union. He was a great mentor and leader to many over his 43 year career. Besides his work, his passion was fishing. He absolutely loved to fish and passed on his talents to his two sons. JD loved the outdoors and was even inducted into the Sportman's Hall of Fame. He was a loving husband, father, and a friend to everyone.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Dougherty; his children, Jason (Sul La) Dougherty, Travis Dougherty, Michael (Jacqui) Vartinen, and Karlee (Jonathan) Reed; his grandchildren, Jakob Dougherty, Astella Reed, and Davey Reed; his siblings, Edward (Leslie) Dougherty and Kathleen (Grant) Jenkins; his nieces and nephews, Alex (Heather) Jenkins, Caleb Dougherty, Tatum Dougherty, Nicklaus Jenkins, and Brogan Dougherty; as well as many friends and union brothers that he considered family.

John was preceded in death by his parents and a brother in infancy, Joseph Dougherty.

Pallbearers will be Edward Dougherty, Steve Serby, Alex Jenkins, Hank Walsh, Jack McCullough, and Robert Polancic. Dave Rexroat will be an honorary pallbearer.

Memorials may be directed to the family.