Paul Herbert Hedges

CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Paul Herbert Hedges, age 94, of Centerville, Indiana, died after a fourth battle with cancer on Monday, July 10, 2017, at Reid Health. He was born on August 8, 1922, in Riceville, New York, to Herbert H. and Lula Demmon Hedges. During the Depression, Paul’s family of eight moved to Indiana, where he graduated from Milton High School in 1940. In 1941, Paul lied about his age so he could join the U.S. Army. Upon enlisting, Paul became part of the new Army Air Corps, where he began his training to become a bombardier instructor in Texas and Victorville, California. Paul was deployed to England in March 1943 to serve as lead bombardier of the 565th Bomb Squadron, 389th Bomb Group, flying out of Hethel near Norwich. In the two years he was stationed in England, Paul led bombing missions to Dresden, Hamburg, and other strategic locations, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy. After the war, he married Bonnie Lee Clevenger in 1945 and became a farmer. Paul enrolled at Earlham College, majoring in political science and became president of its “day-dodger” contingent. He graduated in 1961 and took a job with the Palladium-Item as a farm editor for a year. Paul then joined Kurdy’s Chevrolet, working as a salesman and later as a sales manager. In the early 70s, he had a brief, but satisfying, career as a national sales representative for Shopsmith Woodworking Equipment. In the mid 1970s, after the death of his in-laws, Paul took over the management of the family farm southwest of Centerville, Indiana. In his final years, he became involved with Doddridge Chapel Church, which his wife’s family helped found in 1814. Paul raised funds, made needed repairs, and succeeded in getting it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. He was a member of the American Legion Harry Ray Post #65, Golden K Kiwanis Club, Elks Club #649, and Civil War Roundtable. Paul loved parties, entertaining, and travelling and had developed an interest in Civil War history with a group of area retirees who enjoyed visiting battlefields together. Survivors include his daughter, Priscilla Black Duncan of Montgomery, Alabama; sons, Wendell (Vicki) and Peter (Diana Bane) Hedges, both of Centerville; sister, Emma Lou Shadle of LaFayette, Tennessee; and close friend, Charles Hughes of Connersville, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Bonnie Lee Clevenger Hedges; son, Patrick; two sisters; and two brothers. Visitation for Paul Herbert Hedges will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, July 16, 2017, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home. Burial will be in Doddridge Chapel Cemetery with military honors provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Doddridge Chapel, 4720 Clevenger Road, Centerville, IN 47330. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Paul Herbert Hedges

August 8, 1922 - July 10, 2017