Charles Daugherty

Charles Robert Daugherty (Charlie) has left this world as we know it.  We have hope that the bald eagle seen gliding in circles above Charlie’s home at the time of his death is a sign that he is soaring high and free from pain and suffering. Those who witnessed it, will never forget.

Charlie was born to Howard Daugherty and Melvin (Collins) Daugherty 74 years ago on June 10, 1949.  He spent his first few years growing up in Farmland, Indiana until the family moved to the Muncie/Yorktown area where he finished out his childhood.

A graduate from Yorktown High School and Ball State University, Charlie was a member of the track and field teams.  He held the Yorktown high hurdle record for many years. He was also a talented musician, particularly gifted at playing the guitar. 

He loved working with wood and created unique and beautiful pieces for family and friends including furniture and Djembe drums.  In West Africa it is said that the name djembe comes from the saying “Anke dje’, anke be’” which means “everyone gather together in peace” thus defining the drum’s purpose.  It makes sense that Charlie was drawn to participating in drum circles with these drums and wanted to make and share them with others.

He taught school for several years and this was the profession he enjoyed the most.  He was attached to the Navy Seals as an electronic technician. He was stationed in San Diego and traveled to areas including Malaysia and the Philippines.  He also worked at Warner Gear Transmission (Borg/Warner) for a number of years. Just before retirement, Charlie worked as a meter reader for the local gas company.

Charlie did anything he could to help a fellow human being whether family, friend or stranger.  He believed in respecting and living in tune with Mother Earth and all her inhabitants and tried to create rhythm and harmony with all species whenever possible.

In spring, a robin would nest at the entry to Charlie’s garage.  He spoke gently to her as he went in and out of the garage and she came to trust him as the hatchings grew and left the nest. Several rabbits liked to hang out and munch on his vegetable plants.  He had a talk with them one day and convinced them to wait until the plants were large and fruiting before they nibbled too much of the leaves.

Charlie had a unique sense of humor. A good friend recently recounted Charlie’s hilarious impersonation of a praying mantis. If you had ever seen it, you would remember it well.  

Charlie was preceded in passing by his parents – Howard Vincent Daugherty and Melvin Ethelyn (Collins) Daugherty, Paternal Grandparents – Charles Rolland Daugherty and Mable Rebecca (Shaw) Daugherty, Maternal Grandparents – Harold Von Collins and Alma Dorothy (Clements) Collins and beloved aunts, uncles and cousins from the Collins and Daugherty clans.

Charlie will be deeply missed by his family members:  Brother and Sister In-Law – David William (Doc) Daugherty and Victoria Josephine (Cummings) Daugherty, Sister – Mary Beth (Daugherty) Mahan,   Niece and Nephew In-Law – Adrienne Michelle (Mahan) Shonk and Christopher George Shonk, Nephews – Jacob Ryan Mahan and Aaron Andrew Mahan, Niece – Lauren Nicole Copenhaver, Nephew and Niece In-Law – Steven Talbott Copenhaver and Megan Alicia (Dunphy) Copenhaver, Grand Nieces – Vivian Tesla Kinetic and Margo Josephine Copenhaver, Grand Nephew – Owsley Jack Foust, Aunt Loretta (Collins) Drake and many beloved cousins and grand cousins.

In liu of flowers, If you would like to make a charitable donation in honor of Charlie’s memory, the two organizations listed below were very important to him, or any organization that is fighting global warming.

Free Speech TV – freespeech.org/donate

KPFA Radio – secure.kpfa.org/support

A celebration of Charlie’s life may be planned in the future, but for now, please celebrate Charlie in your own way.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Daugherty, please visit our floral store.