Barbara A. Dean

Mrs. Dean, 77, of Middletown, died March 20 at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation of Red Bank. Born in Belmar, she resided in Monmouth Beach before moving to Middletown several years ago. Mrs. Dean was a reading teacher for the Monmouth Beach Board of Education for more than 30 years, retiring in 1992. She was named a New Jersey Teacher of the Year in 1988. Her memberships include the New Jersey Education Association and the Monmouth Beach Education Association. She was predeceased by a son, Andrew A. Dean, in 1993. Mrs. Dean is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Warren Beer of Delray Beach, Fla.; two nieces; and a nephew. Visitation will be held March 23, 10-11 a.m., at the John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Burial will immediately follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the Andrew A. Dean '82 Endowed Scholarship Fund, Colgate University, Office of Donor Relations, Attn.: Thirza Dawkins, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346-1398.

Claire Esther Teleher Gruber

Mrs. Gruber, 97, of Whippany, died March 19 in West Orange. Born in Poland, she came to the United States in 1920 and resided in Long Branch before moving to Whippany four years ago. She was a homemaker. She and her husband were two of the founding members of Congregation Brothers of Israel, Elberon section of Long Branch, where she served on the board of the temple's Sisterhood. She was active in Hadassah and was a recipient of its Woman of the Year Award. Mrs. Gruber was predeceased by her husband, Irving Gruber, in 1977. She is survived by a daughter, Sheila Gruber of East Hanover; two sons, Marvin Gruber of Boca Raton, Fla., and Jack Gruber of Delray Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Ocean. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07701.

John J. "Pete" Bennett

Mr. Bennett, 86, of Freehold Township, died March 17 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He was the former proprietor of the Battleground Inn, Colts Neck, and the Country Inn, Freehold Township. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in the European-African-Middle East campaign. He was predeceased by three sisters, Margaret Harvey, Jan Hawkshurst and Catherine Riley; and three brothers, Albert Jr., Francis and Walter Bennett. Mr. Bennett is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Robert and Scott Bennett, both of Freehold Township, Jeffrey and Janet Bennett of Ocean Township, and Ronald and Valerie Bennett of Jackson; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held at the Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by interment at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arnytown, Burlington County.

Henry E. "Hank" Milbauer Jr.

Mr. Milbauer, 85, of Tinton Falls, died March 6 at St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Newark, he resided in Eatontown, and West Orange, prior to moving to Tinton Falls 34 years ago. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, and in campaigns such as the invasion of Normandy and Battle of the Bulge, retiring in 1965 after 21 years. Following retirement, he was employed at Ideal Lumber, Deal, for several years. He enjoyed gardening, and was an avid Mets fan. He was predeceased by two brothers, George and John Milbauer; a sister, Alice Wilson; and a granddaughter, Lisa Ann Frommelt. He is survived by his wife, Kane Inoue Milbauer; two daughters and one son-in-law, Joann C. and Richard Parker of Highlands, and Patricia C. Miller of Berlin; a stepson, Tomoaki Tashiro and his wife, Minako of Japan; a stepdaughter, Takako Frommelt and her husband, Joseph of Budd Lake; a brother, Frank Milbaure of Parlin; two sisters, Mary Legg of Denville, and Caroline "Sissy" Kirbas of Dallas, Ga.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by Braun Funeral Home, Eatontown. Memorial donations may be made to St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch 07740.