Jan. 10, 1918 - Jan. 12, 2013
GOSHEN - Dwight E. Weldy, 95, died early Saturday morning, Jan. 12, 2013, at Greencrof Healthcare, where he had been the past two weeks.
He was born Jan. 10, 1918, on the home farm of Jacob I. and Rhoda P. (Landis) Weldy in Wakarusa. He married Marjorie Conrad on June 8, 1941 in Smithville, Ohio. She died Aug. 21, 2011.
He is survived by four children, Cheryl (James) Martin of Greenwood, David (Ann) Weldy of Manclova, Ohio, Mary (Tony) Clasen of West Liberty, Ohio, and Ruth (Kevin) Fitz-Gerald of Lexington, Ky.; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 70 years, Marjorie; a sister, Bertha Harter; and three brothers, Arthur, Eldon and Myron Weldy.
He grew up on the farm with four older siblings. He enjoyed trapping and hunting with his dog as a boy. He went to Longstreet School, Berlin School, Wakarusa High School and took the two-year normal course at Goshen College.
In 1940, he started teaching and finished his Bachelor of Science in education at Goshen College. His first year of teaching was in a one-room school. He also taught at J. Elmer Peak School for two years, Ardmore for one year and Osceola for two years. He earned his Master of Science in music in 1950 and his Doctorate of Music in voice performance in 1963.
In the summer of 1943 he entered Civilian Public Service for two-and-a-half years and was released in June of 1946.
He then taught for two years at South High School in Akron, Ohio, and part-time at Kent State University. He began teaching at Goshen College 1948 and directed the touring choir, retiring in 1983.
During two sabbaticals from Goshen College, he taught at Silliman University in the Philippines.
Following his retirement he served as music director at First Presbyterian Church, Elkhart, from 1983 to 1988.
A member of College Mennonite Church, he was also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Directors Association and Chicago Singing Teachers Guild.
He enjoyed gardening and woodworking and made numerous pieces of furniture.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, in the Koinonia Rooom at College Mennonite Church. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at College Mennonite Church. Pastors Phil Waite and Pamela Yoder will officiate. A family burial in Olive (East Cemetery, Wakarusa, will precede the memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen College or Goshen Care at Home Hospice.