TAMPA, FL — MGySgt Charles Edward Mittelstadt, Jr., USMC (Ret.), passed away, peacefully, after a lengthy battle with cancer on August 4, 2012 in Tampa, FL, surrounded by his family.

Charles was a native of Gasport, NY and a current resident of Jacksonville, NC. He was born in Lockport on December 30, 1935, son of the late Charles E. and Georgia (DeVoe) Mittelstadt.

Charles was a graduate of Barker Central School. He enlisted in the Air National Guard in 1953, was honorably discharged in 1955 for enlistment in the United States Marine Corps on April 11, 1955, and attended boot camp at Paris Island, SC. During his 30 years of active service he rose to the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9), the highest rank achievable for a Marine Non-Commissioned Officer, and retired on May 8, 1985.  During his service Charles served numerous overseas tours, including Beirut, Lebanon, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Okinawa, Japan, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in addition to numerous months of sea duty. While serving at the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he personally risked his life to protect Haitian diplomats seeking to escape the brutal regime of Francois Duvalier, aka Papa Doc. Charles' military awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal with nine stars, Pistol Expert Badge and Rifle Expert Badge. He was also a second generation member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

After retirement from the United States Marine Corps, Charles attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, where he earned bachelor of science in history and master's degree in education. Charles continued to serve his community as a high school social studies teacher for 15 years at White Oak High School in Jacksonville, NC. Along with teaching, he also coached football and worked with the shooting team at White Oak High School.  Charles enjoyed his years teaching and used his experiences to pass on advice to two of his granddaughters, who followed his example and also became teachers. He was active in several volunteer organizations and served on the Onslow County Museum Advisory Board for almost a decade. Charles was also a certified Dive Master, a master gun and locksmith, as well as an avid coin and historic firearm collector.  

Charles was predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty Ann and his son-in-law, Michael Jarman. He is survived by his four children, Patricia Jarman, Richard (Michelle) Mittelstadt, Tom (Barbara) Mittelstadt, Kathryn Salter; his grandchildren, Jennifer, Melissa, Aaron and Ana; and his sisters, Barbara (Robert) Brady of Corfu and Carol (Rick) Drum of Gasport.

A memorial service will be held at Amigone Funeral Home on August 11, 2012, at 2:00 PM, followed by military graveside services at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Amigone Funeral Home, located at 1132 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, on August 10, 2012, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, and on August 11, 2012, at 1:00 PM. A memorial service will also be conducted at a later date in North Carolina.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Moffitt Cancer Center. Their           dedication and effort to provide excellent care over the past year was a blessing to the entire family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Moffitt Cancer Center or the NRA Foundation.

Visit www.lockportjournal.com/obituaries for online guest register.