Philip "Jack" J. Doherty

Philip “Jack” J. Doherty, age 87, of Geneseo, passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2021, while in hospice care at LaSalle Veterans’ Home, LaSalle, IL.  Cremation rites have been accorded and Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, Geneseo.  Father Daniel Gifford will officiate.  A Memorial Visitation will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, prior to the mass.   Inurnment will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery, Atkinson.  Military Honors will be accorded by Geneseo VFW – Don Cherry Post 5083.  Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel is assisting the family and will be livestreaming the service on their Facebook page for those unable to attend.  Memorials may be directed to Geneseo Knights of Columbus, 10 Timberlane Drive, Geneseo, IL 61254 and LaSalle Veterans’ Home, 1015 O’Conor Avenue, LaSalle, IL  61301.

Philip “Jack” was born on July 2, 1934, to Marian Virginia (Mahoney) and Philip P. Doherty, in Chicago, IL.  Jack was loved and respected for his honesty, humor, love, and dedication to his God, family, and country. On November 20, 1965, he married Mary Ellen Barry at a service held at St. Philip Neri Church.   He served his country proudly as a member of the 82nd Airborne Paratroopers.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University.  Following his military service, Jack’s career included the United States Steel, United States Department of Internal Revenue, United States Department of Defense, and lastly, he served as technical security official to the Gila River Tribe.  While his career spanned many years with varied venues, his devotion to honesty and honorable work ethic remained unchanged.  Jack was a lifetime member of the American Legion (Post 45), Tempe, AZ, and the Knights of Columbus.

As a faithful servant to his church and endless devotion to the Divine Mercy, Jack will be joyfully welcomed into his everlasting Heavenly Home. 

Jack is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen, nee Barry of Geneseo, IL; daughters, Christine (Patrick) Boelens, Kathleen (Mike) Nordlund, and Colleen (Bryan) Johnson; grandsons, Brandan (Kristen) Boelens, Christopher Nordlund, Carter (Emily) Nordlund, and Liam Johnson; great-grandson, Matthew Boelens; and sister, Patricia Doherty, Tempe, AZ.