pKenneth H. Theobald, 81 of Monkton, VT passed away unexpectedly on October 8, 2016 from complications of heart surgery. Beloved father, grandfather, brother, husband, uncle, neighbor, gym buddy and friend, Ken was born January 13, 1935 in Potsdam, NY to Ruth L. Theobald and Walter R. Theobald. Milking cows in the pre-dawn hours before attending grade school in a one-room schoolhouse, he developed a work ethic in his childhood that never faltered. He graduated from SUNY-Canton in 1954 and went on to become a successful dairy farmer in Canton, NY for over 50 years. An exemplary community citizen, Ken took an active leadership role in various agricultural and planning board organizations in St. Lawrence County; including Cooperative Extension, Farm Credit, Northern Bulk and the St. Lawrence County Planning Board. Balancing his hard work and pragmatism with musical interludes, he added his beautiful baritone voice to the local Barbershop Goldenaires. Admired by many as a thoughtful land steward and conservationist, Ken transitioned his dairy farm to a grass-fed beef farm and then to organic standards before retiring to a hobby farm in Vermont. He established several bluebird trails and tended countless bluebird nest boxes in both NY and Vermont. He was often seen driving around the John Deere gator with the grandkids- or any willing rider for that matter, showing them the natural world through his eyes. Farmer, gardener & conservationist, he strived to leave this earth in better condition for generations to come. His stewardship was equally evident in his faith and marriage. Ken was a pillar of the United Methodist Church in both, Canton, NY and N. Ferrisburgh, VT. He walked his faith and recently celebrated his marriage of 50 years to Diane Stafford Theobald. He loved life, nature, his faith, his wife, his family and community, and never stopped tending those interests or giving back in greater amounts than he ever took. He was a gem. Ken was a lifelong learner, ever curious about the world around him. He possessed an indefatigable spirit that pulled him through life’s hurdles. We will always remember him as kind, loving, generous and funny; he was a man who was content and complete with life and family and faith. We are all feeling the tremendous loss of a quiet, spiritual, kind and beautiful soul. His spirit is carried on by his wife Diane S. Theobald of Monkton, VT, three daughters, Carol Theobald (and Suellen Sack) of Ely, MN, Marie Kerbaugh (and Michael Kerbaugh) of Williston, VT and Nancy Wood (and Jeff Wood) of Hinesburg, VT; and four grandchildren Leigh Kerbaugh, John Kerbaugh, Annalise Wood and Ryan Wood. He is also survived by five siblings: Walter L. Theobald (Potsdam, NY), Douglas F. Theobald (Potsdam, NY), Barbara T. Wilder (Canton, NY), Joyce T. Rozon (Sun City West, AZ) and Phyllis T. Lawrence (Canton, NY). Predeceased by grandson Richard Wood. Calling Hours will be Tuesday, October 11, 2016 from 3pm to 7pm at Shelburne Funeral Chapel, 209 Falls Rd, Shelburne, VT. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 11am at North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church, N. Ferrisburgh, VT, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to Canton United Methodist Church: Steeple Fund, 41 Court St, Canton, NY 13617, and North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church: Restricted Endowment, PO Box 7, N. Ferrisburgh, VT 05473. /p
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