JOHN “JACK” DOCHERTY

John “Jack” Docherty, age 89, of DeKalb, Oak Crest, and formerly of Elburn, passed away June 2, 2023, and now rests in the arms of his Savior.

He was born March 7, 1934, in Aurora, IL, to proud and loving parents, William and Ethel Docherty.

Because both of his parents lived in Chicago and were visually impaired, the decision was made that Jack would grow up in Elburn, living with his Grandma Chrystal. He attended local schools and graduated from Elburn High School with the class of 1953. He announced his presence long before his arrival with a ‘49 Ford with only a suggestion of a muffler. 

Jack was united in marriage to Kaye Louise Rombout and they were blessed with two children. Later, life would lead them in different directions, and Jack found his way into Jan Helander’s heart. They were married June 28, 1964, and they added two more children to the family, making the whole family more than the sum of their parts. There was plenty of love to go around and even more memories made over the decades.

Jack worked at Moline Malleable for a time before beginning a career in West Aurora School District 129 that spanned over 30 years before his retirement. Jack also worked as an EMT during that time and would often be awakened by a call from Chuck Conley (Conley Ambulance) who would be waiting in the driveway with the ambulance ready to respond. Jack eventually became Treasurer and Captain as it transitioned to Elburn Ambulance. Retirement didn’t mean the same thing to Jack as most people. He continued to keep busy working at Kane County Bank and several years as a custodian at Grace Lutheran Church where he was also a member.

He was a faithful member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Lily Lake, IL, and former member and altar boy at St. Gall Catholic Church.

Jack had a knack for woodworking, his eyes carefully guiding skillful hands, creating one of a kind tables, cabinets, kids toys, rocking horses and chairs, quilt racks and wooden Christmas trees. No two were the same, but all had the hallmark style and finish of Jack Docherty. Though wood was his work of choice, he was also a handyman around the house making sure everything was in perfect working order. He and Jan enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, multiple locations in the lower 48, with a couple of cruises thrown in, to boot. The Paramount Theater in Aurora brought smiles all around at various productions. Every afternoon, he met the crew at Smith’s in Elburn for coffee, later they met at The Kountry Kettle and in recent years at the Burger King in Sycamore. There, they solved the problems of the world with every sip, and maybe, just maybe gossiped a bit as well. He was a creature of habit and every Friday night he and Jan would go out for supper.  Jack enjoyed his time in the yard, planting flowers and keeping the gardens in tip top shape. The yard was a picture of beauty but in his heart, he nurtured a hatred for peonies. His faith was an important part of who Jack was, harkening back to 7 a.m. Mass every morning at St. Gall with Grandma Chrystal. Jan’s piano playing was literal music to his ears, and Jack enjoyed every measure when she played. He made a name for himself in the kitchen, perfecting recipes that have been passed down to his children, all of which filled the kitchen with mouth watering aromas. Jack was an original and never again will there be another. The legacy he leaves is the one we will treasure forever.

He now leaves his loving wife of almost 59 years, Jan Docherty; four children: David (Susan) Docherty, Teresa (Kevin) Woods, Kathy (Kevin) Callaghan, and Daniel (Jen) Docherty; 14 grandchildren: Courtney (Amos) Sutherland, Philip (Miracle) Docherty, Aaron Docherty, George Michael (Mikayla) McFadden, Nicole Renee McFadden, Matthew David (Annie) McFadden, Jacquelyn Kaye (Dave) Lawrence, Bryant William Callaghan, Rohan Patrick Callaghan, Dylan Thomas Callaghan, Lauren Rose Docherty, Krista Cobb, Anna Elloise Docherty and Margaret “Maggie” (Scott Chesser) Docherty, who arrived in Heaven just one day before Jack; 18 great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Joyce (Jim) Serafin and a community of lifelong friends who will miss him greatly.

He now is reunited with his parents, William and Ethel Docherty; his grandmother Elizabeth Gaffney Chrystal and one brother in infancy who preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 9:30-11 a.m., with a funeral service to celebrate Jack’s life to begin at 11 a.m., at Grace Lutheran Church, 5N600 Hanson Rd. (Lily Lake) St. Charles, IL. Interment will follow at Blackberry Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 5N600 Hanson Rd., St. Charles, IL 60175. Memories and tributes may be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.