Noel H. Theobald

Noel H. Theobald, 67, Indianapolis, passed away February 7, 2003 at his Indianapolis residence. Mr. Theobald attended Ohio State University and had served in the United States Army and the Army Reserves. He had worked for Sears in the corporate office in Chicago, providing his expertise in photography, catalogue layout & design, and merchandising their finer quality items. Along with his long-time companion and business partner, Gary Sampson, he opened N. Theobald, Inc. in 1973 at the Fashion Mall at Keystone at the Crossing. Their store was the first at the Fashion Mall and flourished from its inception until 1996. They opened their store with one line of china and grew to over 1000 patterns. Theobald became known in Indianapolis and throughout the world as the King of Crystal and as a master merchant of the finest in table top and gift merchandise. N. Theobald was the recipient of many awards including the Cartier Dealer Display Award, The Table Top Award in 1989, and was honored by the presence of many heads of state and celebrities. Mr. Theobald truly left his mark on the retailer and on the consumer by his hard work and dedication throughout the years. Funeral arrangements will be held privately with interment at Union Chapel Cemetery. Survivors include long-time companion, Gary Sampson; brother, Carroll Theobald, Shelbyville, IN. Arrangements have been entrusted to Leppert & Hensley Mortuary, Nora Chapel.