Diane D. Daugherty

Diane D. (Hess) Daugherty, age 92, of Metamora, IL, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

She was born on April 10, 1934, in Aurora, IL, to Everett J. and Hazel (Dahl) Hess. Diane married James C. “Jim” Daugherty on June 12, 1955, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Beardstown, IL.

Surviving are her husband, Jim of Metamora; one son, Michael (Amy) Daugherty of Roanoke, IL; three daughters, Sue Bernardoni of Seneca, IL, Lisa Daugherty of Toluca, IL, and Deb Daugherty of McKinney, TX; nine grandchildren, Joshua (Bethany) Daugherty, Mallory (Nick) Hanauer, Mitchell (Lauren) Daugherty, Nichole (Matthew) Fletcher, Jacob Daugherty, Lauren (Luke) Wacker, Jon (Kelly) Bernardoni, William (Alecia) Bernardoni, and Tyler (Elizabeth) Bernardoni; sixteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law, Bill Bernardoni, daughter-in-law, Donna Daugherty, brother, Bob Hess, and sister-in-law, Marian Hess.

Diane attended Lutheran Parochial Schools in Beardstown, IL and graduated from Beardstown High School in 1952. She attended Midwest College in Galesburg and was employed by Montgomery Ward in Beardstown, the Equitable Assurance Company in Galesburg, and the Ottawa Elementary Schools. While with her husband, who was serving in the military in Arizona, she managed an apartment complex near Hereford, AZ.

Diane was an active member of the Homemakers Extension Association in Ottawa and Washington, IL with over 45 years of dedicated service, and taught Sunday School classes for several years at her church in Ottawa. She was a 4-H club leader in LaSalle County and enjoyed teaching cooking to the 4-H members.

Diane volunteered for twelve years at the Lutheran Church Mouse in Peoria and enjoyed volunteering for the many local charity organizations with their annual fundraisers and was a faithful member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington, IL. She was an avid Cardinal fan and cheered for the Chicago Bears and the Fighting Illini.

She loved to prepare Norwegian recipes for her family and friends to enjoy especially during the holiday season. She loved and adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as they grew and achieved in life. Pets and flowers were always an important addition to her home that she enjoyed and cherished.

Diane was a kind, gentle, thoughtful, helpful, gracious person who was loved and adored by all and will be sorely missed.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Washington with Pastor Chris Walters officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Friday at the church. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Metamora. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1209 Kingsbury Road, Washington, IL 61571, American Heart Association Greater IL Area, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or the Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree Street, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30309. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

DONATIONS:

Our Savior Lutheran Church, 1209 Kingsbury Road, Washington, IL 61571

American Heart Association, Greater IL Area, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674

Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree Street, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30309