521. Wilma June⁸ VAN GUNDY (Robert Elmer⁷, Daniel William⁶, John⁵, David Jr⁴, David Sr³, Peter Sr², Male¹) was born in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL June 6, 1927.

She married Earl Edward "Abie" FITT in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, First Christian Church by Dr A, October 27, 1946. Earl was born in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL December 25, 1924. At 26 years of age Earl became the father of Duane Earl FITT in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, September 29, 1951. At 30 years of age Earl became the father of Dwight William FITT in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, March 12, 1955. At 35 years of age Earl became the father of Mark David FITT in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, January 14, 1960. Residences & events in his life: Mattoon, IL. 4/1/1943 He was inducted into the US Army at Peoria, IL, 4/1/1943 and served until 11/29/1945, being discharged at Rantoul. During his service career he was an airplane and engine mechanic, earning the distinction of being an M1 sharpshooter on 6/3/1944. He was in northern France, Rhineland, and central Europe, earning 3 bronze stars and a Victory Medal along the way. 1946 Decatur, Macon Co, IL. When he and June married, he was working as a carpenter there and stayed for about 1 1/2 more years before quitting to start working on the railroad. 1948 Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. Moving to work on the railroad brought them back home. 4/10/1961 He received extensive burns while at work and was hospitalized for 10 wks. 12/1982 Earl retired from the New York Central railroad where he had worked for over 30 years.

At 24 years of age Wilma became the mother of Duane Earl FITT in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, September 29, 1951. At 27 years of age Wilma became the mother of Dwight William FITT in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, March 12, 1955. At 32 years of age Wilma became the mother of Mark David FITT in Mattoon, Coles Co, IL, January 14, 1960. As a youngster, the family called her "Maggot" because she nearly drowned when she fell into the outdoor privy. During high school, she missed several months school because of a basketball injury while her brother, Jack, was double promoted. This caused them to graduate the same year, June at mid-term, Jack in the spring of 1946. Later, after having a family, she decided she also needed a career. She received a practical nursing scholarship from the Mattoon Jaycee-ettes and graduated from nursing school in June 1965. Some insight into June and Earl's personalities may be gained by the following story as related by her sister, Dorisgene: "One year while we lived in the country at Neoga, we had a party...even had a band. It was getting late in the evening and Earl wanted to go home but June wasn't ready to leave. Still later he wanted to go but again, June wouldn't. Finally, he said, 'OK, I'll just walk home!' We all thought, sure he will, it's 13 miles to town and another 3 to their house! Well, there goes Abie down the lane....and he didn't come back! We all tried to give him a lift, even the sheriff tried as he passed by. Abie's response was, 'No!! I said I'm walking home, and I'm walking home!' The next morning when we checked on both of them, Abie had stopped at the railroad shop (where he worked) to rest, and June was home asleep! No one ever questioned whether Abie could walk home again."

Wilma June VAN GUNDY and Earl Edward "Abie" FITT had the following children:

+ 598 i. Duane Earl⁹ FITT was born September 29, 1951.

+ 599 ii. Dwight William FITT was born March 12, 1955.

+ 600 iii. Mark David FITT was born January 14, 1960.

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