RAYMOND — Jerry Leigh Behnke, 66, died Saturday, March 2, 2013 from Idiopathic Interstitial Lung Fibrosis with his family by his side while waiting for a lung transplant.

He was born in Durand, Wis., to Harold and Ione Behnke. He married Janet Holland Findlen on Oct. 7, 2005. They moved to Raymond in 2012.

Jerry had a wide variety of interests and experiences in his life. He was a Vietnam veteran and proudly served aboard the USS Forrestal. He later served as a SERE instructor for the U.S. Navy. Jerry retired as First Sergeant from the Army National Guard in 2002 after serving a total of 26 years in military service.

He had a lifelong interest in coins and owned Compass Coins in Brunswick and Lewiston for several years. He also had a lifelong interest in rocks and minerals, and was the past president of the Maine Mineralogical and Geological Society of Portland. Along with his wife he owned J.B. Stone, a rock and mineral business.

He was a beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather and friend,

Jerry was predeceased by both his parents; and his brother, Gary.

He is survived by his wife Janet; daughter Alissa Behnke of Topsham; son Adam Behnke of Raymond; stepdaughter Freedom Grim of Hot Springs, Ark.; sister Janet Rosenbrook of Platteville, Wis.; two grandsons and two granddaughters; four nieces and two nephews; four grandnephews and three grandnieces.

Visiting hours will be held at Wilson Funeral Home, Shaker Road, Gray, on Friday, March 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be on Saturday, March 9, at 11 a.m., at the New Gloucester Bible Church, Lewiston Road, (Route 202), New Gloucester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Lung Association, www.lung.org/donation or to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, www.fallenheroesfund.org