Dwight E. Weldy

Dwight E. Weldy, 95, of Goshen, died early Saturday morning, January 12, 2013, at Greencroft Healthcare where he had been the last two weeks. He was born January 10, 1918 on the home farm of Jacob I. and Rhoda P. (Landis) Weldy in Wakarusa. He married Marjorie Conrad June 8, 1941 in Smithville, Ohio. She died August 21, 2011. He is survived by four children, Cheryl (James) Martin, Greenwood, David (Ann) Weldy, Manclova, Ohio, Mary (tony) Clasen, West Liberty, Ohio and Ruth (Kevin) Fitz-Gerald, Lexington, Kentucky; 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 BS in Education at Goshen College. His first year of teaching was in a one-room school. He also taught at the J. Elmer Peak School for two years, Ardmore for one year, and Osceola for two years. He earned his MS 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 in 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, the American Choral Directors Association, and the Chicago Singing Teachers Guild. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking and made numerous piece of furniture. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 18, 2013 in the Koinonia Room at College Mennonite Church, Goshen. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 19, 2013 at College Mennonite Church. Pastors Phil Waite and Pamela Yoder will officiate. A family burial at Olive East Cemetery, Wakarusa, will precede the memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen College or Goshen Care at Home Hospice.