Wayne Eldon Theobald

Wayne E. Theobald, age 92, passed away on March 6th, 2023 at the Fountains at Bronson Place. He was a longtime resident on Indian Lake in Vicksburg.

He was born in Elkhart, Indiana on July 2, 1930 to Glenn and Martha Theobald and graduated from Elkhart High School, where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife of 70 years, Eloine (Arnold) Theobald. He graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy.

Wayne enlisted in the Indiana National Guard in 1949 and served until 1962, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant, Infantry. His unit had been in line to deploy for the Korean War when the armistice was signed.

After working in a retail pharmacy, Wayne joined the Upjohn Company (now Pfizer) in 1952 as a pharmaceutical salesman in Ft. Wayne, IN and Kalamazoo. He progressed to become district sales manager in Detroit, and returned to Kalamazoo as an executive for sales training. He was awarded the William E. Upjohn Prize for Special Achievement in 1976, and retired from the company in 1992.

He is survived by his sister Johanna June Keyser, brother Lee C. Theobald (Sandra), daughter Amy Bowman (Eric), sons Peter and Mark (Ruth) Theobald, grandchildren Jacob (Katie) Bowman, Kyle Theobald, and Kara (Eric) Laymen, 4 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by wife Eloine and grandchildren Kate Bowman and Corey Theobald.

Wayne was a founding member and long-time volunteer at Skyridge Church of the Brethren in Kalamazoo, as well as being active in district church governance. Golf, fishing, woodworking, and reading also occupied him in retirement.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, info@alzheimersprevention.org,  P.O. Box 30783, Tucson, AZ 85751-0783.

A brief graveside service will be held at the Vicksburg (“Schoolcraft Township”) Cemetery, 333 West W Ave (“Highway St”) on March 21 at 11:00 AM, Reverend Ruth Moerdyk of Skyridge Church officiating. [Bear right to the far SW corner at the back of the cemetery.]

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.