Funeral Mass for CW4 (Retired) Ignatius J. "Chuck" Balistreri, 80, Lawton, will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday in the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Father Joseph R. Ross, Pastor officiating. Mr. Balistreri died Tuesday in Lawton. Entombment with full military honors will be in the Chapel of Serenity Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens under the direction of the Becker Funeral Home & Cremation Service. A wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Friday in the Becker Funeral Home Memorial Chapel. Born on October 9, 1931 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Giacomo and Margerita Balistreri (Sardina) He attended St Rita's Catholic School and was in the first 8th grade graduating class of 1945. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1949 and joined the army in Feb 1951. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He married Soon Nam "Betty" Pak in 1955. She died April 21, 2007. His other assignments included Ft Rucker, AL., Ft Benning, GA; Ft Sill('53); Ft Leonard Wood, MO; Ft Knox ,KY; Milwaukee, WI; several tours in Korea; Thailand & Ft Sill '69 to retirement. After returning from Vietnam he worked for H&R Block Tax service for ten years. He retired from the Army on May 23, 1977. He was awarded numerous decorations and medals to include the Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Commendation Medal with Third Oak Leaf Cluster. Chuck worked briefly for the U. S Navy rework facility on Coronado Island, San Diego, CA. He worked for Civil Service at Reynolds Army Community Hospital for ten years. In 1984, after retiring from Civil Service, Chuck graduated from Cameron University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration. He established an accounting and tax preparation business, Balistreri Tax Services ("The Tax Man"), that started in 1982 (affiliated with Fred Cheek State Farm Insurance for twenty great and successful years) until he retired in 2010. He was a long time member of Blessed Sacrament Church, the VFW Post and the Italian-American Club of Lawton. He was also a long-standing member of the Italian Community Center of Milwaukee, WI. He loved golfing at Cedar Lakes Golf Course and meeting his buddies for a round and some coffee. Chuck and Betty traveled often to see their children and grandchildren, who were their greatest joy. In the latter years of Betty's life, he lovingly cared for her until her death. Chuck enjoyed spending time with his many friends in Lawton, meeting for lunch or dinner. A definite people-person, Chuck made everyone feel good just being with him. His quick wit and good humor will be missed. Survivors include two sons; John Balistreri, Tarpley, Texas; and Thomas Balistreri, Ft Worth, Texas; three daughters; Joanne and husband Mark Roncoli, Mainz, Germany; Jackie and husband David Niddrie San Diego, CA and Jannette Otten and special friend, Morris Wilson, Frankfort, KY. Seven grandchildren; Thomas Roncoli, Johnson City, TN; Zeb Varble and wife Erin, Frankfort, KY; Amanda LeMaster and husband Ashley, Frankfort, KY; Christine Smolen and husband Greg, Kingsport, TN; Stephen Otten, Frankfort, KY; Rachel Niddrie and David Niddrie, San Diego, CA. Five Great Grandchildren; Corbin and Caillou LeMaster; Elizabeth Otten; and Bronson and Emma Varble; all of Frankfort, KY. Sisters Rose Witz; Agatha and husband George Collura; sister-in-law Kathy Balistreri - all of Milwaukee, WI. Brother-in-law Bong Sik Pak and wife, Sue of Lawton, OK and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Soon Nam "Betty" Balistreri; parents; five brothers: Dominic, Sam, Isadore, Thomas and Anthony; and sister, Angie Wrigley.