Melvin Bernard Wedige was born on Aug 20,1931 in Lafayette County Wisconsin to Herman Wedige and Victoria Sutton Wedige. He was the ninth of eleven siblings, all of whom predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Carmen Perez; sons Larry (Chrissy) Wedige, Carl (Beth) Wedige, Duane (Darla) Wedige; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and numerous step-grandchildren, and step-great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and great-grandson Miguel Reyes.

He came to San Antonio for Army basic training where he met his wife, Carmen Perez. Upon completion of his military service, he had brief stints with Central Lumber Company and Kelly Field. He then joined the San Antonio Fire Department, where he retired after 28 years of service. He is a member of American Legion Post 105, Shullsburg, Wisconsin.

An avid sportsman, a man of solid convictions, a role model, and a man with an unwavering faith. These were his strengths, and sometimes his faults! As a child he honed his skills and learned his love of hunting and fishing. As an adult…Lord help you if you had a scheduling conflict with opening day of hunting season. Sometimes even Christmas was speeded up a bit, in order to accommodate a trip to the blind. We’re sure he and Fr George Stuebben and Fr Larry Stuebben are exchanging hunting stories in heaven.

He taught his sons a work ethic through his words and actions that stood them all in good stead, in all of their endeavors, but he also passed on a streak of the mischievous, that permeated all of his relationships and still lives on in his progeny. He practiced his faith through strict weekly attendance at Sunday Mass, and also through his everyday actions of service, whether through his carpentry skills at his sister’s convent , volunteering at his church on behalf of the youth club, serving as an usher at Sunday Mass, volunteering thousands of hours fund-raising for his German Catholic fraternal organization, or just embodying all of those strong Catholic values and incorporating them into his everyday life.

We sometimes categorize men such as him as invincible, and are surprised when we find out otherwise, but the Lord has a plan for us all and we are grateful that He has seen fit to grant us 92 glorious years, of his presence and guidance. He has touched so many lives in a positive way during that span of time. We will feel his loss deeply. Rest in peace Melvin, husband, dad, grandpa, uncle Mel, you have more than earned your reward!

 

Visitation at Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge on December 17th, 2023, at 6 p.m, Rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Church on Monday, December 18, 2023, at 9:15 a.m. Graveside service to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.