Audrey Helen Rhoton

Audrey Helen Rhoton died at her Buckeye, Arizona home following a lengthy illness Friday, December 4, 2009. She was 86 years old. Audrey was born on January 11, 1923 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Eugene and Ann (Dohmen) Bredow and has been an Arizona resident for the past 68 years. As a young woman, she was blessed with an incredible singing voice, and even considered studying opera. She instead, however, married the man of her dreams, Royal W. Rhoton on September 28, 1946 and chose to raise a family over a cosmopolitan singing career. A choice she never did regret. While her daughters were young girls, Audrey owned and operated the old Smart Wear Shop in Lakeside for 5 years. And, ever the help-mate to her husband, she kept books for his construction and later insurance businesses. Royal died in 1986 just 4 days prior to their 40th wedding anniversary. In 1985 she, and her husband, bought some property in Apache Junction, AZ where she lived part-time throughout the year. When she wasn't in Apache Junction, she was still enjoying the beauty of the White Mountains from her Lakeside home. In 1987, Audrey moved to Ahwahtukee in Phoenix and remained there for 5 years and later lived several years in east Mesa. In April of 2004, she moved to southern Illinois with her daughter, Patricia. At the end of 2005, she moved back to Arizona and lived in Gilbert before finally moving to Buckeye, Arizona where she has since lived. She enjoyed baking, reading and water-color painting. Audrey was a faithful member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist throughout her adult life. Audrey Rhoton is survived by her 2 daughters: Patricia Rinzel (Don) of Buckeye, Arizona, Kathy Heedy (Mike) of Chandler, Arizona; 4 grandchildren: Sean Rinzel (Susan), Shannon Perez (Daniel), Stephanie Heedy, Brent Heedy; 7 great-grandchildren: William Rinzel, Megan Rinzel, Danny Perez, Charlie Perez, Trevor Thorley, Colin Thorley and Brooklynn Zernonie. She is preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Gail Rhoton Parks and Richard, who were killed together in an automobile accident in 1976. She is also preceded in death by her 2 sisters: Alice McGowan and Janet Bredow. Funeral services will begin 2:00 P.M., Saturday, December 12, 2009 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona. Her visitation will begin 1/2 hour prior to the funeral. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Royal, at the Lakeside Cemetery.