Funeral Mass for retired USA 1SG (Retired) John Price Mizelle, 63, Lawton, will be at 9:30 a.m., Monday at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Joseph R. Ross, pastor officiating. Mr. Mizelle died Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Lawton-Fort Sill Veterans Center in Lawton, Okla. Interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Sill National cemetery, Elgin Oklahoma under direction of Becker Funeral Home & Cremation service. A wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Sunday at the Becker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. He was born March 21, 1947, in Newport News, Va., to Jesse and Mary (Tekinder) Mizelle. John was raised and attended school in Newport News and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1964. He served in Vietnam with the 12th Marine Artillery Regiment 1965-1966 and again with the 367th Light Helicopter Squadron from 1968 until 1969. While with the 367th he received 13 awards of the Air Medal, three of which were for heroic achievement. John was discharged in 1969 and returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Gail O'Hara. He enlisted in the United States Army on Sept. 26, 1978, and retired Dec. 31, 1991. His duty stations included Bamberg and Bad Kreuznach, Germany; Vicenza, Italy; Titusville, Fla., and Fort Sill. John served a total of 20 years, 3 months. He received a number of commendations while in the military including the National Defense Service Medal with service star, Meritorious Service Medal with two stars, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with One Silver and Two Bronze service stars, Army Achievement Medal, five Army Good Conduct Medals, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, four Overseas Service Bars, three NCO Professional Development Ribbons, Parachutist Badge, Recruiter Badge with Second Achievement Star, Army Gold Recruiter Badge with three Sapphire Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Combat Air Crewman Insignia. Following retirement, John attended Cameron University, and, after earning a teaching degree, taught sixth grade in the Lawton Public Schools. He later obtained a master's degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma. John then became the principal of St. Mary's Catholic School. He was a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 751. He served on the board of directors and also was editor of the chapter newsletter for a number of years. Survivors include Eleanor, his wife and best friend for 41 years, of the home; son, John P. and Jennifer Mizelle, Newport News, Va.; daughter, Amy E. and Kenny Mossman, Norman, Okla., and five grandchildren, Amanda, Madison and Reagan Mizelle, Hannah Murphy and Andrew Mossman; sisters, Carolyn Cirillo, Yorktown, Va., and Lynn Ballou, Winston, NC. John was preceded in death by his parents. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Mary's School, 611 Southwest A Avenue in Lawton, Okla., 73501.