Friends and family said goodbye to a Marine from Stanton Heights who was killed in Afghanistan.

A funeral Mass for 28-year-old Gunnery Sgt. Justin E. Schmalstieg was held Dec. 22 at Sacred Heart Church in Shadyside.

The Defense Department said Schmalstieg died Dec. 15 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province. He was assigned to 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Schmalstieg graduated from Peabody (Pa.) High School in 2000 and was the son of two Pittsburgh police officers.

Proceeds from the GySgt Justin E. Schmalstieg bracelet will be donated to Legacies Alive.