Ural C Dewitt

He was born January 4, 1924 in Obion, Tennessee to David and Elizabeth (Morris) Dewitt. His parents preceded him in death. He also was preceded in death byone son, Anthony Ray "Tony" Dewitt on August 9, 2006 in Pekin.

Surviving are two daughters, Judy E. (Victor) Ethridge, with whom he lived, of Riverdale, and Karen E. (Kevin) Garman of Pekin; two sons, James L. (Wanda) Dewitt of Nettleton, Mississippi and Kenneth L. (Lori) Dewitt of Lindenhurst; fourteen grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Ural worked for Western Electric and later, AT&T for 40 years, retiring as a supervisor in 1987.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and participating in the liberation of the Dachau and Auschwitz concentration camps. He also was part of the Normandy invasion called D-day plus 2, where he was an anti-aircraft gunner on the back of a halftrack. His unit received a citation for shooting down one of the first jets introduced in World War II.

His graveside funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2007at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and the Tazewell Military Rites Team. Mr. Roy Johnson will officiate. Cremation has been accorded.Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.