Michael Daugherty

Judge Michael Thomas Daugherty Sr., 53, of Wilmington, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2022 at his home. His wife, Wendy Jo Priest Daugherty, survives. They were married July 20, 1991.

Mr. Daugherty was born August 26, 1969 in Wilmington, a son of Joe and Sandra Cox Daugherty of Wilmington. He was a graduate of Clinton-Massie High School and Wilmington College. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1994.

Mr. Daugherty started practicing law at Greene County Legal Aid in 1994 before joining Rose & Dobyns in Wilmington. He then practiced law with Shaun Peterson before opening his own practice, Mike Daugherty Attorney at Law LLC, in 2012.

He eventually became the Clinton County Municipal Court Judge, a position he has held since he was originally appointed in 2015. Over his career, he also served as the village solicitor for New Vienna and Clarksville.

Judge Daugherty was well known for his community involvement. Over the years, he was involved in Community Action, Little Hearts – Big Smiles, Boy Scouts, the Emmaus Community, New Life Clinic, Special Olympics, Leadership Clinton, and the Clinton-Massie Band Boosters.

Mike had also been a Sunday School teacher and Awana leader. He was known as "The Voice" of the Clinton-Massie Marching Band and was an avid wrestling fan. His true passion, however, was being the community Santa Claus and it was his desire that he was known for being Santa rather than being judge.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by his children, Michael Thomas Daugherty Jr. of Wilmington, Mary Elizabeth Daugherty of Dayton, and Josiah David Daugherty of Wilmington; his brother, Matthew (Gordana) Daugherty of Orange Park, Florida; his sister, Emily (Brian) Stephens of Wilmington; nieces and nephews, Adriana Farrell, Dylan Daugherty, and Bayden Stephens; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry and Burnice Priest; brother-in-law, Johnny Priest; and sister-in-law, Betty Ohmart.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 13 at Dove Church, 1499 Rombach Avenue in Wilmington. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 14 at Dove Church. The burial will be in the Sugar Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mike's family requests that contributions in his memory be made to a Clinton County charitable organization of the donor's choice.

Smith Funeral Home in Wilmington is serving the family. For more information or to leave a note of condolence, please visit www.smithandsonfuneralhomes.com .