Pius John Soehnlen, 76, of Navarre, Ohio, a member of the Northfield Park Wall of Fame, passed away at home on January 15 following a long battle with cancer.
He was born March 16, 1939 in Canton, the son of the late horseman Leo Soehnlen, and was a farmer and harness horseman.
He drove and trained many champion Standardbreds, including world champion Dream Of Glory, the Dan Patch three-year-old Trotting Colt of the Year in 1974; Dan Patch four-year-old Trotter of the Year in 1975; and Dan Patch Older Trotting Horse of the Year in 1976; Stoneking 1:59h ($225,256); Fence Post 1:57f ($236,942); Proxies Garland 3,2:03.3f ($208,828); and Preslash p,3,1:52.3 ($175,040). Early in his career he also drove Pickwick Baron. His stable also produced several Ohio Sires Stakes champions. He was inducted into the Wall of Fame at Northfield Park as an outstanding driver/trainer in 2005.
He was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. Pius he took great pleasure in spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his former wife, Jane; children, Ann (J.P.) Majors, George (Marcie), Jeanne (Skip) Markley, Paul (Gary Curry), John (Aimee), Michael (Erica) and Naquel Harvey; grandchildren, Julia, Carter, Eric (Megan), Steven, Kevin, Carolyn, Alex, Jack, Grace, Megan, Leo, Molly, Adam, Jason, Audrey and Riley; great-grandson, Henry; brothers, Joseph, Leo and David; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Isabel; and his daughter, Carolyn.
Visitation will be held at Spidell Funeral Home, 209 Chestnut St. N.W., Brewster, on Tuesday (Jan. 19) from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Parish (St. Clement's Campus), 202 E. Wooster St., Navarre.
Memorial contributions may be made to Food For the Poor.org or Catholic Charities USA, P.O. Box 17066, Baltimore, MD 21297-1066.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Pius Soehnlen.
(USTA)