C. Gene Daugherty - Adel

Gene Daugherty, 81, a long time Adel resident, passed from this life on Monday, October 22, 2012. Funeral services in celebration of Gene's life will be 11:00 AM Saturday, October 27, at the ADM High School Auditorium in Adel. Visitation will begin at noon Friday at McCalley Funeral Home in Adel where family will greet friends and neighbors from 3 to 7 PM. A private burial service will be held for family members at the Panther Creek Cemetery in accordance with his wishes. Gene was born on October 12, 1931 in rural Adel, Iowa to Mark Edward and Clara (Kirscher) Daugherty. On July 12, 1947, Gene was wed to Joan Snyder of Adel at Des Moines, Iowa. Their marriage endured for twenty-six years until the untimely death of Joan in 1973. They were blessed through this union with five sons, Pat, Mike, Tim, Kelly, and Jerry. After working a short time for Wright Tree Service, where he became the youngest regional supervisor at the age of sixteen, Gene went into business with his brother Darrell, operating the Texaco service station in Adel until 1953. He spent the next six years working for Dawson Farms northwest of Adel, adding up many fond memories that he loved to recall. He had a special place in his heart for that family. In 1959, Gene realized his dream and started farming for himself west of Adel. Along with several hundred acres of row crops, he operated a farrow to finish hog program, and a sizable cow/calf operation that kept the family busy. It was obvious his first love was cattle. His hard work was recognized in 1965 with the Dallas County Outstanding Young Farmer Award. In 1969, Gene moved back to Adel and managed the Adel Sales Pavilion until 1976, and then continued working there as an auctioneer until 1980. In 1969 he had also started Daugherty Auction Services, Inc., all the while keeping his beloved herd of cows. He kept that herd until he retired from the auction business in 2006. Throughout this period of time, as he expanded his business into one of central Iowa's better known auction companies, he would act as an agent for area cattlemen, trusting him to find the right cows to augment their herds. Gene is survived by his sons, Pat (Marilyn), Mike (Debra), Tim (Jackie), and Kelly (Leilani); and his long time companion of fifteen years, Candie Ostrander. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, and a host of family and friends. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joan; their son, Jerry; brothers, Forest "Jiggs", Francis, Leo and Darrell; and sisters, Zelda Melton, Leona Walker, and Arlene Piatt. Memorial contributions can be directed to Iowa Hospice of Panora. Online condolences may be left at www.mccalleyfuneralhome.com. Service: 11 AM Saturday, October 27, 2012 ADM High School Auditorium Adel, Iowa Visitation: Family will receive friends Friday October 26, from 3 PM to 7 PM McCalley Funeral Home