GOSHEN — Dwight E. Weldy, 95, died early Saturday morning at Greencroft Healthcare where he had been a patient 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 June 8, 1941, in Smithville, Ohio. She died Aug. 21, 2011.

He is survived by his four children, Cheryl (James) Martin, Greenwood, David (Ann) Weldy, Manclova, Ohio, Mary (Tony) Clasen, West Liberty, Ohio, and Ruth (Kevin) Fitz-Gerald, 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 completed a bachelor’s degree 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 master’s degree 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 2½ years and was released in June 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 pieces of furniture.

Friends may call Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Koinonia Room at College Mennonite Church in Goshen.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. The Revs. Phil Waite and Pamela Yoder will officiate.

A family burial will precede the memorial service at Olive East Cemetery, Wakarusa.

Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen College or Goshen Care at Home Hospice.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, is handling arrangements. To leave condolences for the family, visit www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com.