BRENEMAN, Matthew David

Copper Basin News Hayden, Az. 19 Oct. 2011 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.