A Sad Day For Pennsylvania Field Trial Community...

We received word this week that one of our dear friends and fellow field trialer, Frieda St. John, passed away on Monday November 17 2008. Frieda was an ardant supporter of field trials throughout the eastern region, and had also worked as a pro for many years, running a succesful string of Brits on the trial circuit. She was a great supporter of the numerous local weekend quail trials in the Pennsylvania region, and never failed to have a couple of entries at Beaver Valley, Blairsville, Mid Atlantic Red Setter, Broome County, Baldwinsville, and others. Frieda was the kind of person who was always willing and able to give you a hand, and she was instrumental in helping many "newbies" to the sport over the years. I can personally attest to this, as she helped me on several occasions with my first horse. In recent years, she had been developing a string of pointers, and she was devoted to her dogs and horses. One of the best places to hang out during a trial was Frieda's horse trailer. The canopy was out, the chairs unfolded, the beer cooler was open, and the conversation was friendly and inviting. Frieda was a good friend of our red setter friend Harry Rollinson, and they often trained together on their favorite training grounds outside of Pittsburgh.

If there is a place in heaven for those who love dogs and horses, Frieda is sitting there as we speak, because they, along with her family, were her life. Her passing will leave a void in our culture, and she will be sorely missed.

Allen Fazenbaker


Frieda's Obit (Tribune-Review)...

Frieda L. St. JohnIndiana
Frieda Louise St. John, 60, of Indiana, died Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, in the Indiana Regional Medical Center. The daughter of Stanley "Jack" and Frieda Kurth Gaul, she was born Dec. 25, 1947, in Harrison Township. Frieda was a graduate of West Deer High School and Slippery Rock University, class of 1970. She loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter. Frieda took great pride in the field trialing of her dogs and horses. She developed many friendships and will be remembered as a good friend, loving wife, mother and grandmother. Surviving are her husband John, whom she wed April 20, 1968; two sons, John, and his wife, Nancy, Coraopolis, and Matthew and his wife, Susan, Frederick, Md.; sister, Janice McCoy and her husband, Robert, Kinzers; two brothers, Eric Gaul, Washington Township, and Raymond Gaul and his wife, Josie, Valencia; granddaughter, Sydney; sister-in-law, Margie Gaul, Allison Park; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding Frieda in death were her parents; and brother, Edgar. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the JOHN A. LEFDAHL FUNERAL HOME, Indiana. Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in the Lefdahl Chapel with the Rev. Micah McMillen officiating. Interment will be private.