EATONTOWN, N.J. — Raymond Donald Behan died Friday, Jan. 31, 2003, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, N.J. He was 68.

Born in Chazy, he lived in Freehold before moving to Eatontown, N.J., 11 years ago. He was a construction worker for American Buildings, and served 22 years in the U.S. Army.

He was a two-time veteran of the Vietnam War and received both the Bronze Star and the Commendation Medal. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America.

He was predeceased by his father, Thomas Behan, and 10 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Maryjane Harshman Behan of Eatontown; a son, Rick, and his wife, Patty, of Albany; a daughter, Kimberly Behan; his mother, Bertha Elizabeth Matott Behan; three brothers, Bruce of Wear, N.H., Anthony of Wallingford, Conn., and Ernie of Champlain; four sisters, Lillian Wysko of Mooers, Joyce Wood of Altona, Sharon Dupre of Mooers, Sheila Nephew of Mooers and Gwendolyn Troville of St. Albans, Vt; a niece, Susan Antal; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at the Braun Funeral Home, 106 Broad St., Eatontown, N.J., from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. A service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday celebrating Ray’s life. Interment is private.

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Betty Ward, 79, passed away at the Fletcher Allen Health Center on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003, after suffering a brain hemorrhage two days earlier.

Betty was born on April 23, 1923, in New York, N.Y., and emigrated to Plattsburgh in 1957 and resided there until 1999, when she moved to South Burlington to be with her family.

Betty is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Gene Ward; one son, Chip, and his wife, Donna Mazut, and three grandchildren, Laura Ward of Peru, and Shawn and EJ Ward IV of South Burlington; a sister, Ann, and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Ward was a 45-year communicant of St. John’s Church in Plattsburgh.

Betty loved the North Country and its people and took advantage of its beauty from the top of Whiteface Mountain, where she established herself as a strong intermediate skier, to the shore of Lake Champlain, where she spent her summers playing golf at Bluff Point Golf Club, where she won numerous tournaments as a 35-year member.

Betty was reputed as an excellent bridge player and very much enjoyed the lifelong friends she met in competition.

Mrs. Ward received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1945. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. John Vianney Church, 160 Hinesburg Road, South Burlington, Vt., with family member the Rev. John Hamilton, pastor, celebrating.

Burial shall follow the ceremony in Resurrection Park Cemetery next to the church with a full military honor guard. No calling hours will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Betty to St. John’s Academy Endowment Fund, 59 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Cards from her friends would be welcome at 803 Nowland Farm Road, South Burlington, Vt., 05403.

Gifford Funeral Service of Richmond, Vt., is in charge of arrangements.

PLATTSBURGH — Uless L. LaPorte, 79, of Johnson Avenue, passed away quietly at home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Standish on Sept. 15, 1923, the son of Alfred and Lena (Plumadore) LaPorte.

Uless attended school in Lyon Mountain. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, 5th Engineers. Uless was stationed in Greenland and was awarded five Bronze Stars. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #125 in Plattsburgh. He belonged to Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local #773 and was a welding teacher for them. Uless was a member of Our Lady of Victory Church. He was an avid bowler who loved hunting, fishing and animals.

Uless is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dora M. LaPorte of Plattsburgh; two children and their spouses, Bonnie and Thomas Gregware of Plattsburgh, Lonnie and Elizabeth LaPorte of Skaneateles; three grandchildren, Jena Gregware, Caitlyn LaPorte and Ethan LaPorte; two sisters, Delima Powers of Plattsburgh and Leona Bedard of Plattsburgh; and several nieces and nephews.

Uless was predeceased by his parents and eight brothers and sisters.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, from Our Lady of Victory Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will be at a later date in Whispering Maples Mausoleum in Plattsburgh. Donations in Mr. LaPorte’s memory may be made to the Adirondack Humane Society, 1815 Idaho Ave., Plattsburgh, NY 12903, or for Masses at Our Lady of Victory Church.

Arrangements are with Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.