584. Dale Eugene⁹ VAN GUNDY (Joseph Dewey "JD"⁸, Robert Elmer⁷, Daniel William⁶, John⁵, David Jr⁴, David Sr³, Peter Sr², Male¹) was born in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, at 2805 Richmond Ave June 19, 1940.

He married Lura Jane THAYER in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, Broadway Christian Church by R, July 3, 1960. Lura was born in Casey, Clark Co, IL May 11, 1943. At 18 years of age Lura became the mother of Michael Todd VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, August 21, 1961. At 20 years of age Lura became the mother of Julia Lynn VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, July 28, 1963. At 21 years of age Lura became the mother of Brian Douglas VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, November 27, 1964. At 25 years of age Lura became the mother of Derek Sean VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, April 30, 1969. At 29 years of age Lura became the mother of Jamie Leigh VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, October 30, 1972. As a musician on both piano and organ, I have played in nearly every church in Mattoon, often as their primary musician and, as such, have been involved in several of the family's weddings. I also worked, first as a Tupperware representative, then at JCPenneys as inventory clerk/receptionist/secretary before taking a position at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center as an insurance rep. In 1981 when Dale transferred, I also transferred to Richland Memorial Hospital as a patient accounts representative, moving to supervisor of a physicians billing office, and finally into the collections area. Upon returning to Mattoon, I retired until 1993 when I returned to work as the business office supervisor at Carle Clinic, staying 2 1/2 years. Finally I found time to work on this book and other branches of the family.

At 21 years of age Dale became the father of Michael Todd VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, August 21, 1961. At 23 years of age Dale became the father of Julia Lynn VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, July 28, 1963. At 24 years of age Dale became the father of Brian Douglas VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, November 27, 1964. At 28 years of age Dale became the father of Derek Sean VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, April 30, 1969. At 32 years of age Dale became the father of Jamie Leigh VAN GUNDY in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, October 30, 1972. He is an outgoing person, demonstrating his love for people nearly every time the family is on a public outing by disappearing, only to be found engaged in an extended conversation with a complete stranger. He has a soft heart but a strong sense of right and wrong, living his Christianity naturally while making the family primary in his life, giving priority to their needs and interests over his. Residences & events in his life: 1959 Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. Following graduation from high school, Dale took a job with the New York Central railroad where he was still employed at the time of marriage. 5/1961 101 N 26th St. We moved often the first year of marriage while upgrading to larger and better apartments, then settled into a small house before the first child arrived. 6/1962 Decatur, Macon Co, IL. The tenure there was only for the summer while Dale worked temporarily as Loan Officer with a loan company. It was during this time that Aunt Ella and Stanley Walker earned a special place in our hearts. 9/1962 Mattoon, IL. A return to home ground where Dale worked at various jobs, often two at a time, including clerking at two drug stores, driving tractors for two farmers, etc, and as the family expanded, so did the houses, from 1509 Shelby, to 2809 Shelby, to 3333 Champaign. Spring 1966 124 S Ridge, Arcola, IL. Taking a position as Controller at the USI Chemical Co at Tuscola, the family moved to be nearer his job. Dale's uncle, Warren Arthur, who also lived at Arcola, was happy to have family moving nearby and found just the right house to rent, a large brick home, called the Skinner Mansion, on a double lot. It had been vacant for some time but well kept and was most certainly a grand place in its early days. 6/1967 Humboldt Twp, Mattoon, IL. We purchased our first house, a large older home with 1/2 acre located 3 miles north of town, from another uncle, Andrew Honn. 2/1969 Dale settled on his life's career at Central IL Public Service beginning as a rodman with the survey crew, moving to meter reader, and eventually becoming a journeyman electrician in the substation department. 1975 2408 Prairie, Mattoon. Finding that school children in lots of activities meant several daily trips to town, we moved into town. 11/1981 #18 Vance Dr, Olney, Richland Co, IL. Dale was transferred with CIPS as a substation troubleman. 3/1991 #8 Rolling Green, Mattoon, IL. Back home again after Dale was promoted to Dispatcher and transferred for the second time, we settled in the country club community on the golf course where Dale could pursue his favorite leisure time activity.

Dale Eugene VAN GUNDY and Lura Jane THAYER had the following children:

+ 699 i. Michael Todd¹⁰ VAN GUNDY was born August 21, 1961.

+ 700 ii. Julia Lynn VAN GUNDY was born July 28, 1963.

+ 701 iii. Brian Douglas VAN GUNDY was born November 27, 1964.

702 iv. Derek Sean VAN GUNDY was born in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL April 30, 1969. He is a definite mix of the two personalities of his parents. He is a "people" person like his father, outgoing, personable, and comfortable with people in all walks and situations of life, spending the summers of his youth playing golf with the senior members of the country club. Yet he is also pensive and reflective, living by faith in the Lord for his life, like his mother. He capitalizes upon these combined traits and uses them to accomplish feats others find difficult or even impossible, such as raising $10,000 for a youth trip to Russia. After an active childhood in youth groups through church, he carried similar activities into adulthood by becoming a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, and eventually youth minister. He uses his talents and influence to organize events and raise the money to support them, such as concerts and trips, in an effort to keep young people involved and focused in the right direction. Sean maintains his contacts and friendships, calling them to service when he needs them. During his college years, he organized a weekly Bible study among his friends, exposing some to Christianity for the first time. Sean is also an accomplished vocalist, having studied at Olney Central College. This talent was first discovered about age 11 when he was given a solo part in a musical at church, surprising the whole family on opening night. He continued singing for school events, once opening the basketball game at high school by singing the national anthem a cappella, and later combined talents with mother at the piano, and sister, Jamie, at the electronic keyboard, performing for church services, weddings, anniversaries, and funerals. Residences and events: 1990 Olney, IL, where Sean was youth minister of Elm Street Christian Church. 1991 Bridgeport, IL, still working as youth minister, this time at the First Christian Church. 1993 Mattoon, IL. Moving back home while completing his college education, he began practicing accounting for his brother, Todd, as well as two local golf courses. 1995 He graduated from Eastern IL University with a Bachelor's Degree in accounting after first attending Olney Central College and Rose Hulman Technical Institute at Terre Haute, IN. 1/1996 Cary, N.C. Following graduation, Sean moved to be nearer Todd, as well as to take advantage of more favorable weather for year round golf, his favorite past time. He landed a job immediately upon reaching the area as accounting clerk for Triangle Laboratories, moving rapidly into Assistant Controller. 9/1996 Switching companies he worked as an accountant for Ruben H Donnelley Co, the yellow pages people. 4/1998 In a venture to challenge himself in his work, he joined QSP (Quality Software Products), a British company, as accountant who, along with a team, will install systems and train employees of companies with revenues over $500 million, then act as sole contact in case of problems.

703 v. Jamie Leigh VAN GUNDY was born in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL October 30, 1972. She is the scholar of the family, a quiet person, independent, yet conscientious, considerate and caring toward those around her. She is an avid reader and an accomplished pianist, although she prefers to play only for herself. In a constant quest for betterment, she exercises her mind by discovering new things in daily life, being especially observant of nature, people, and her environment. She maintains her body with fitness exercises and diet control, acting as influence for others with less will power. And she sets goals for her future, then devises ways to attain them. Religion has always played an important part in her life, setting her apart from many of her fellow classmates and associates by avoiding the problems and pitfalls of the world. As a young adult she still attends weekly Bible sessions with friends. Residences & events: 8/1990 Olney, IL. She began college at Olney Central College, completing her first year there. 5/1991 Mattoon, IL. Following her parents, she moved to continue her education at Lakeland College. 1993 Macomb, IL, where she enrolled for her final two years of college at Western Illinois University. 1995 Graduating with honors, she attained a Bachelor of Science with majors in geography and math and plans to eventually enter the field of climatology with an emphasis on storm research. 6/1996 Cary, NC. Feeling it was time to strike out on her own but not wanting to get too far out, she decided to join her two brothers in the southeast. She immediately landed a job as customer service rep for Siemens Medical Systems but soon switched to an office position with a CPA firm. After fulfilling a residency requirement, she plans to return to college for her Masters degree and/or a degree in computers.

Send email to preparer: family@vangundy.net

Return to Table of Contents or Index

Go to Next Page

Submit comments and suggestions to B.J. VanGundy at bj@vangundy.net