Paul Dencil “Denny” Wedge, Jr., age 85, died on June 20, 2024. Denny was born on November 13, 1938 to his late parents Paul Dencil Wedge, Sr. and Lillian Herrig Wedge in Fostoria, Ohio. He graduated from Point Pleasant High School in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and from Western Kentucky State Teachers College in 1961 with both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Arts degree. Denny was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. On July 4, 1964, Denny married Carol Sue Haskins, a union that lasted 55 years until Carol’s death in 2019.
Denny served his country in the Army D Company, 32nd Armored Division. He and Carol both taught school in Florida, Denny teaching high school biology and coaching football. In 1967, the Wedges moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and immediately immersed themselves in the community. He opened his own insurance company selling life insurance and volunteered his time as an assistant football coach under Jimmy Feix at Western Kentucky University.
Denny served as both a Deacon and an Elder at The Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green, as well as a member of Western Kentucky University’s Board of Regents, the Bowling Green City School Board, the Morning Rotary Club, AAA Board of Kentucky, November 13 Birthday Club, and he was active with a number of other groups.
The great joy of Denny’s life was spending time with family. He is survived by his son Paul Dencil Wedge, III and his wife Jody, their children Paul Baylor Wedge and Lily Clay Wedge; and his daughter Julia Ann Wedge (with whom he shared his November 13 birthday), and her children Michael George Spencer, Jr., Matthew Morris Spencer, “King” Paul David Spencer, and Caroline Rebecca Wedge; his sisters Beverly “Toodle” Wedge Cottrill and Betsy “Fluff” Wedge Blain, and his brother Jimmy Joe Wedge; and numerous nieces and nephews. Denny was preceded in death by his son David Morris Wedge and his brother Richard Henry Herrig.
Visitation will be at J.C. Kirby and Son Lovers Chapel, 820 Lovers Lane, Bowling Green, Kentucky on Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. Visitation will continue Monday, June 24, 2024, from 9:00am to 11:00am at The Presbyterian Church, 1003 State Street, Bowling Green. Funeral service will follow at 11:30am at The Presbyterian Church, with a lunch afterward at the Carrol Knicely Center, 2355 Nashville Road, Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Denny requested his body be donated to science. Following that time, a graveside service will be scheduled, to include a Sigma Chi white rose ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Presbyterian Church, 1003 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101; or to the Denny Wedge Scholarship Fund, c/o College Heights Foundation, 1703 Chestnut Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101.
