Person Page - 2864

     Chad Edward Johnson was born on April 19, 1977 at Franklin, Venango Co., Pennsylvania.¹ He died before December 31, 1977.¹

     Grace Virginia Harper was born on February 15, 1886 at Pendleton Co., West Virginia.¹ As of March 16, 1906,her married name was Hulings.² She married Levi Warren Hulings, son of Albert Hulings and Margaret Zerley, on March 16, 1906 at Cumberland, Allegany Co., Maryland.²

     Margaret Jeanette Hulings was born on December 31, 1911 at Marienville, Forest Co., Pennsylvania.² As of May 29, 1928,her married name was Lewis.² She married Lawrence L. Lewis on May 29, 1928 at Cuyahoga Co., Ohio.²

     Laura Jean Stockwell was buried at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1652 E. Baseline Road, Mesa, Maricopa Co., Arizona.¹ She was born on December 25, 1926 at Pontiac, Oakland Co., Michigan.¹ As of August 19, 1945,her married name was Breneman.² She married Ray Milton Breneman, son of Milton Lester Breneman and Mildred Grace Hulings, on August 19, 1945 at Grand Island, Hall Co., Nebraska.^2,1 Laura Jean Stockwell died on October 20, 2017 at Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah, at age 90.¹ She Our beloved Mother, Laura Jean Stockwell Breneman, age 90, died peacefully on October 20, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jean, as she was known to family and friends, was born on Christmas day, December 25, 1926, in Pontiac, Michigan to Elmer and Gertrude Stockwell. She moved with her mother and brother to Nebraska after her father died in 1935. Jean graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1942, at the age of 16; afterward she taught school in rural Nebraska, under an emergency program to staff schools following the onset of World War II. Also, she and her mother both worked in a munitions factory in Grand Island. Jean married Ray Milton Breneman, a big band musician, in Grand Island, Nebraska in August 1945. At the end of that era, they moved to Arizona in 1951 when Ray found work with Kennecott. The family first lived in the mining town of Ray. They moved to Kearny in 1958, when Kennecott built the town to accommodate the relocation of families from Ray and Sonora; as the open pit mining operation expanded. They were one of the first families to move to Kearny, and Jean spent 55 years of her life in this wonderful place. They raised their 10 children in Kearny, and toward the end of Ray’s life adopted two of their grandchildren. Ray passed away in 1987. Mother had a great love of theater, music and books, and instilled that love in her children. She was an avid participant in the town’s little theater group and an organizer of many “hootenannies” during the early 1960’s. Mom’s main focus was always the family but she had many jobs outside of home. She became a Certified Professional Secretary in the mid 1960’s, and worked for Kennecott for many years; starting as a statistical typist and finally as Kennecott’s first female frontline field repair foreman. She really loved her last two jobs, first as clerk for Justice of the Peace, Kelly Haddad, and then serving out his term as Justice for the Pinal County 6th District of Kearny and Superior following Judge Haddad’s death. Jean also served as an interim justice for the Mesa Municipal court for a year. She was a devout Catholic, and a parishioner of Infant Jesus of Prague Catholic Church in Kearny, serving as volunteer secretary/bookkeeper for several years after the Parish was established. She regularly attended daily and Sunday Mass, and served in many roles, preferring to be a lector. A highlight of her life was when her childhood friend from Nebraska, George Knoell, became her companion. They had been family friends since childhood, and after his wife, Edna, died, they began seeing each other and fell in love. George moved from his home in Tempe to Kearny. They shared and enjoyed 16 years together, attending daily mass, traveling to visit family and friends around the country, and visiting many religious sites and shrines in the United States and Europe. Their favorite trip was to Rome and the Vatican at Christmastime one year. Also, they enjoyed an “around the world” trip. George passed away in 2013. Mom loved to talk, and her stories about her life, family and friends entertained everyone. She enjoyed games, especially Scrabble, and was a member of the bridge club in Kearny until it disbanded. She enjoyed, and always looked forward to, daily visits with her best friend, Bernice Hansen. She moved to Salt Lake City in 2013 to be closer to her daughter, Laura Joyce. She is survived by her children: Ray M. Breneman, Jr; Laura Joyce (Sidney) Williams; Allison M. (Michael – (d)) Converse; Daniel F.(Donna) Breneman; John Reilly (Ay) Breneman; Timothy C. Breneman; Stephanie F. (George) White; Thaddeus E. Breneman; Cynthia K. Breneman; Geneva L. Breneman; and Joseph P. (Nancy) Breneman. She had 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother (Daniel K. Stockwell), her husband (Ray M. Breneman, Sr.), a son (Matthew D. Breneman), son-in-law (Michael L. Converse) and granddaughter (Deborah M. Starich). A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017 at Holy Cross Catholic Church 1244 S. Power Rd., Mesa, AZ, at 10 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1652 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa, AZ, where she will be inurned with her husband, Ray. The staff of St. Joseph Villa provided kind and thoughtful care during mother’s residence; especially Anwar, Andrew, Katacha, Matilla, Stephan and Symbii Hospice nurse Melinda. on November 6, 2017.¹

     His Social Security Number was 526-92-3163.⁶ Matthew David Breneman was buried at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 1652 E. Baseline Road, Mesa, Maricopa Co., Arizona.³ He and Rhonda Kornegay were divorced.¹ Matthew David Breneman was born on December 2, 1952 at Ray, Pinal Co., Arizona; His obituary has a birth date of Dec 12, 1952.^1,2,6 He married Rhonda Kornegay in May, 1971.¹ Matthew David Breneman died on October 12, 2011 at Woodbury, Ramsey Co., Minnesota, at age 58.^1,2,6 He Our beloved son, father, grandfather, and brother, Matthew David Breneman, passed away October 12, 2011, in Woodbury, Minnesota. Matt was born on December 12, 1952 to Ray Milton and Laura Jean Breneman in Ray. Ray was a small mining town and the family later moved to the Phoenix area and then settled in Kearny, when Matt was five. He grew up surrounded by nine very active brothers and sisters and their playground was the surrounding desert and nearby river. Swimming at the town pool and sandlot baseball were the main activities during the summer months. Matt attended Ray Public Schools in Kearny and was a member of the school band, where he played the trumpet. He also participated in the school plays and musical productions. He belonged to the Infant Jesus of Prague Catholic Church and was an altar boy when he was in school. He married Rhonda Kornegay in May 1971 and they had two sons and later divorced. Matt raised his daughter, Chantil, as a single parent. He was also actively involved with raising Chantil’s children and had a special love for Shaylin Janet Maloof and Monica Elizabeth Maloof. Shaylin spent the recent summer months traveling with him on his truck. Matt was a very hard worker and always had a good job to support his family. His first career was working as a miner for various mining companies in Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming, and even for a company in Queensland, Australia, where the actual mining took place on a Malaysian island. During that time he developed a deep affection for the Malaysian people. He enjoyed working underground and was a member of many mine rescue teams. In his second career, he worked as a truck driver, primarily on long haul trips. He traveled into almost every state and had many stories to tell about the different locations where he picked up and delivered freight. His droll and rather dry wit, made each story one to be fondly remembered. Three years ago, he moved to Minnesota where he lived with his very good friend, Valarie Stepanek. This was one of the happiest times of his life and they were able to spend many weekends at Val’s family cabin in Wisconsin. Matt is survived by his mother, Laura Jean Breneman; children: Chantil Jean Breneman, David Matthew Breneman and Daniel Christopher Breneman; seven grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Ray Jr. (Randy), Laura (Sid) Williams, Allison Converse, Daniel, John Reilly, Timothy, Stephanie (George) White, Thaddeus, Cynthia, Joseph and Geneva; and many nieces and nephews. His father, Ray, preceded him in death. A service for family and friends is planned for after Thanksgiving in Arizona. on October 19, 2011.¹

     Michael Lee Converse was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, San Diego Co., California.^4,5,6 His Social Security Number was 390-52-0493.² He was born on August 10, 1951 at Wisconsin Rapids, Wood Co., Wisconsin.^2,4,7 He married Allison M. Breneman, daughter of Ray Milton Breneman and Laura Jean Stockwell, circa 1976 at Minnesota.^1,3 Michael Lee Converse died on June 13, 2004 at Santee, San Diego Co., California, at age 52.^2,4,7,6 He CONVERSE, MICHAEL L. - August 10, 1951 to June 13, 2004. Died peacefully and unexpectedly on Sunday, June 13, 2004 at his home in Santee, Ca. Michael served his country in the United States Navy for 23 years. He retired as Chief Petty Officer in 1992. He was a Plank Owner of USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), having been a member of the commissioning crew as well as serving on other naval vessels. He was employed by MedImpact Health Care Systems, Inc. of San Diego. Michael loved to golf and was a member of the President Associates of the San Diego Zoological Society, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Allison; daughters Deborah Starich of Santee, Michelle Strangfeld, Jennifer and Connie Converse, and mother, Frances Converse of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis; brothers Fred Converse of Springfield, Mo., and Rod Converse of Indianapolis, Ind; and three grandchildren, Lauren Starich, Gunner and Rebecca Converse. Inurnment with Honors on Tuesday, June 22, 2004, 9 a.m. at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr. San Diego, CA. on June 20, 2004.⁶