Retired Knox County judge leaves legacy of helping youth

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Retired Knox County judge and civic leader Edward Charles Theobald died Nov. 9.

Born May 26, 1932, Theobald was a life-long resident of Vincennes. He graduated from Lincoln High School and received a bachelor’s degree in accounting as well as his law degree from Indiana University. He entered public service as the Knox County prosecutor and was a Superior County judge for more than 20 years.

His passion and focus was helping youth. Theobald founded Children and Family Services Inc., established the Southwest Indiana Regional Youth Village, and was very active in the Indiana Judicial Conference, serving many years on the Juvenile Justice Improvement Committee and on the Indiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. In addition, he brought the national Court Appointed Special Advocate Program to Indiana and was president and director of the Knox County Youth Development Commission.

On a state and national level, Theobald served on many study and advisory groups, including the Comprehensive Community Plan Group for the Governor’s Commission of a Drug-Free Indiana, the Indiana Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Indiana Lawyers Commission, Indiana Criminal Law Study Commission, and the  Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

Among his many awards and accolades, he received the Warren W. Martin Award for Innovative Programs in Treating Adult Offenders and Delinquent Youths which was presented to his court and staff by the Indiana Correctional Association.

Theobald is survived by his wife, Helen, four children, one brother and eight grandchildren. A memorial service will be at noon Wednesday, Nov. 14, at First United Methodist Church in Vincennes. Friends may visit the family from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

 

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