Obituary of Michael Theobald

The Butte Meadows community is saddened by the loss of Michael Theobald, age 64. Mike was enjoying the last snowmobile run of the season when he left us. Mike was born in Greenville, California on March 24, 1945 and graduated from Westwood High School in 1963. Mike passed instantly in a snowmobile accident on Saturday, March 28, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Diana; his daughters, Deborah Harrington and husband Todd, Rebecka Brown and husband Monte, Valerie Seagraves and husband Chris, and Melanie Sanford; his grandchildren, Matthew, Richard, Ryan, Thomas, Devin, Haley, Brennan, Britney, Kevin, Zina, and Elizabeth; brothers, Dan Fodge and wife Gloria, Rod Theobald and wife Connie; stepfather, Joe Champion; numerous nieces and nephews; and the wonderful groups of friends and acquaintances he made in work and play, particularly his Butte Meadows family. Mike has worked at numerous types of jobs during his lifetime including pulling chain at Collins Pines Lumber Mill in Chester, a journeyman mechanic in Sacramento, and owned and operated Chem-Dry of Chico, Paradise, and Red Bluff franchises. Mike and Diana always planned to spend "retirement" in Butte Meadows where he found new talents such as backhoe work, deck building, and cabin remodels. Mike's hobbies were anything to do in the mountains. He rode snowmobiles and snowshoed in winter; hiked, rode a quad, dune buggy, hunted and fished during the summer. He was in his element in the mountains and knew every inch in the Butte Meadows area. Mike's family and friends take comfort in the knowledge that Mike was a man of faith, as well as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. We all know he is at the right hand of God now anticipating our arrival. A celebration of his life will be held for Mike at the Forest Ranch Community Center on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Butte Meadows Volunteer Fire Station No. 10.