Galesburg native Phil Theobald, sports columnist, passes away

Phil Theobald
Phil Theobald (photo via Mason-White Funeral Home)

A Galesburg native who made a name for himself as the preeminent sports columnist for the Peoria Journal Star over 40 years has died.

Both the Journal Star and the Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington say Phil Theobald died last Friday in Peoria at the age of 83.

While his first paying job was at the legendary Coney Island, Theobald got his start at the Register-Mail before moving on to the Canton Daily Ledger.

But his biggest success came from the Journal Star, where he rose to the rank of Assistant Sports Editor during a tenure that lasted from 1965 to 2004.

The honorably discharged Army veteran was described by the Journal Star as a man who “let fans lead the way to story ideas.”

But he could also be described as having a “tough, crusty, profane demeanor that intimidated people.”

A stark contrast, perhaps, to another description as “one of the kindest, most caring, and thoughtful” people colleagues could meet.

A memorial service for Phil Theobald will be held at a later date. The 1959 Galesburg High School graduate leaves behind a wife, children, step-children, grandchildren, and step-grandchildren.

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