Ralph Eugene Daugherty, aged 84, of Brogue, PA, went home to be with his Lord on October 15, 2026. He was surrounded by his wife and children on the farm he loved so dearly.

“Faith, Family, and Farm”—though the phrase is used a lot today, probably none other could better summarize Ralph’s life and legacy. Born on July 16, 1942, in York Township to the late Earl I. H. and Ruth N. (Barshinger) Daugherty, Ralph spent his early years and young adulthood developing and displaying his legendary work ethic in a wide variety of jobs. These included milking cows and farming with his parents and brothers, picking fruit and vegetables, selling Christmas trees, cleaning the church, and hand-digging graves. As a teen, he attended Dallastown High School and accepted Christ as his Savior during a revival service in Spry, PA.

On September 30, 1962, Ralph married the love of his life, Nancy L. (Newcomer) Daugherty, and the couple would spend the next 64 years building and enjoying a loving, God-centered, and fun-filled home and family together. In 1965, they moved to Brogue, where Ralph would proudly continue farming with his parents, brothers, sons, and then grandsons for more than 60 years. He never seemed to know the meaning of slow down or quit, and thus he never did.

In his later years, he enjoyed traveling on group bus trips and seeing other parts of the country. However, his happiest places on earth were a tractor, lawn mower, or Gator seat on the farm; in his church pew; in his deer stand; and sitting around his kitchen table with family and friends (especially if there was shrimp or black raspberry ice cream being served).

Ralph was a faithful member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Brogue for more than 54 years, serving in various leadership positions, including deacon, trustee, head usher, financial secretary/auditor, and as a member of the church’s benevolence committee. He also always had a passion for tithing and supporting missions. In addition, he served for 34 years on the Chanceford Township Planning Commission, was a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

Ralph will be remembered for his signature long hayrides in the fall, his winter hog butchering with family, and the abundant summer sweet corn he eagerly shared with everyone around. More importantly, he leaves his family and friends with a remarkable legacy and example of faithfulness, hard work, honesty, wisdom, practicality, generosity, unending energy, selflessness, punctuality, and fun-loving orneriness.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; his brother David Daugherty; and his sister, Joan Henise. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; two other brothers, Donald and Robert Daugherty; his five children and their spouses, Karen (and Keith) Sweitzer, Kent (and Susan) Daugherty, Karol (and Eric) Edwards, Krista (and Dean) Richardson, and Keith (and Pam) Daugherty; 18 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, October 19, at the Mount Zion Baptist Church Annex in Brogue. The funeral will be in the adjacent church sanctuary at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, with another viewing beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Donations can be made in Ralph’s honor to Mount Zion Baptist Church missions (https://mtziononline.org/) or to the MGM Guest Home of Hershey (at 325 Schoeneck Road, Stevens, PA 17578; https://mgmguesthouse.com/).