Former Janesville Gazette sports editor Dave Wedeward died July 30, 2025 at age 81 — less than two weeks before his 82nd birthday.
An Aug. 1 column written by Tom Miller for The Gazette fondly recalled Wedeward as “the commander” who had to have the score from the game — and often awakened coaches and their spouses to do it.
Before he retired in 2011, Wedeward worked for 39 years as sports editor, and 43 years in total.
“In The Gazette’s years before the Internet and when the General Motors plant was rolling smoothly, the sports coverage area spanned from Monroe to Lake Geneva to Palmyra to Cambridge,” Miller wrote. “Then add on the Madison schools that competed with Janesville Craig and Janesville Parker in the Big Eight Conference. That made for many hectic nights in The Gazette sports department.”
During Wedeward’s tenure, The Gazette frequently was recognized by the Associated Press and Wisconsin Newspaper Association for its outstanding sports section.
He served as a past-president of the Wisconsin AP Sports Editors Association and has been cited by the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association, as well as the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association, for distinguished service to high school sports.
Other honors included 1990 Founder Janesville Sports Hall of Fame, 1992 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Media Award ,1996 Hall of Fame Inductee Wisconsin Football Coaches Association,1999 Inductee Edgerton Area Athletic Hall of Fame, 2012 Induction Janesville Sports Hall of Fame, the 1996 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the 2016 Honorary Named Wedeward-Fagerli Press Box Monterey Stadium.
Another accomplishment was that Wedeward was a long-time member of the Edgerton Lions Club and served as president, according to his obituary.
“He was a sportswriter’s sportswriter,” Miller concluded his Aug. 1 column. “Rest in peace my mentor and friend. Thanks for the memories.”
Wedeward is survived by his wife, Letha; stepchildren, Jack (Cathy) Femyer, Shelley (Gary) Wright, Stephanie (Dean) George, Sherri (Denis) Gloede and Sarita Jordan; brothers Jim (Elizabeth “Betsy”) and John; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Steve.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Edgerton. Visitation will be Wednesday Aug. 6, 2025 from 5-7 p.m. at the Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Edgerton and again on Thursday Aug. 7, 2025 from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.
A memorial in Wedeward’s name will be established at a future date. Upon his request, acquaintances should not send flowers.
The Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Edgerton is assisting the family. For online condolences and guestbook, visit www.albrechtfuneralhomes.com.
