John Steven Frueh passed away May 21, 2026 at his home near Williamstown, KY.  He was the husband of Donna Lonkard-Frueh.  He was a member of the Methodist faith.  He retired from Local 469 Arizona Pipe Fitters Union.  

John was born in Sullivan, Missouri on January 9, 1947 to the late Eldo Henry Frueh and Katherine Jean Cook Frueh.  He spent his first 13 years living in Union, MO.  Boy Scouts was an important part of his young life and he was highly successful in the organization.  In 1960 John relocated with his family to Mesa, AZ.  In 1964, John graduated from Mesa High School where he was on the swimming team and baseball team.  He carried his love of baseball throughout his life, playing baseball and then softball until he was 74 years old.  He also was a tropical fish hobbyist and at one time bred and showed rabbits, winning numerous medals.  John had keen intellect.  He was curious about everything, especially geography and history - and he never seemed to forget a detail.

John is survived by his wife, Donna Lonkard-Frueh; daughter, Christine Amy Frueh and granddaughter, Maya Donnelly of Mesa, AZ; granddaughter, Isabel Frueh and grandson, Sejin Frueh, of L.A. County, CA; special cousin, Susan Herbst, of Union, MO; and eight-year-old, great niece, Kassidy Faye Hall.  John was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Capt. John G. Frueh, USAF, and his brother, Mark Eldo Frueh.

Special thanks to St. Elizabeth Hospice and family and friends for their love and care during John's illness and death.  Private services for the family will be held at a later date in Arizona.