CASE SHOOTING Joy rules as family, friends celebrate life of 'saintly man'

Cleveland and Youngstown mayors attended the funeral.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A spirit of joy filled the sanctuary of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church this morning as hundreds of people assembled to offer their goodbyes to the young man they knew as a brilliant, compassionate son, brother and friend.
A choir of about 50 voices sang out uplifting renditions "Our God is an Awesome God, " "We Exalt Thee" and "The Believers' Hymn," (better known as "When we All Get to Heaven"), drawing the crowd to their feet, their hands to the sky, singing praises to God for the life of Norman Eugene Wallace.
The 30-year-old Youngstown native was killed Friday in what observers have described as a frightening shooting rampage at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where he was studying for a master's degree.
This morning, though, his family appeared remarkably composed, and few tears were apparent in the crowd, which ranged from infants to the elderly, as the service took a tone of celebration for a life well-lived.
Cleveland Mayor Jane L. Campbell and Youngstown Mayor George McKelvey were among the scheduled speakers.
Dr. Robert M. Hundert, university president, was among four speakers to pay educational tribute to Wallace. He referred to Wallace as a "saintly man" who made a difference in whatever he did and wherever he went.
Wednesday afternoon, 11 members of Wallace's family filed through a roomful of reporters to thank the community for its support after his slaying.
After introducing nine of Wallace's 10 siblings, a sister-in-law, and himself, Bishop Norman L. Wagner, Wallace's uncle and surrogate father, told reporters his nephew, whom he'd helped rear, was "a king among kings" and that his death "created a vacuum in the world."
Wallace, a graduate of Calvary Christian Academy and Youngstown State University, was working toward a master's in business administration at CWRU.
He was shot in the chest by a lone gunman in the Peter B. Lewis Building during a seven-hour standoff. Two other people were wounded.
Bishop Wagner, pastor of Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church and prelate for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, also thanked local, national and international supporters who have showered the family with love and kindness during what he said may be their most difficult time.
The outpouring "fills a void in my heart. I just want to say thank you," said Wallace's younger sister, Kim.
Questions remain
Wallace's older brother, David, thanked God for the strength to handle the loss of such a "very special person, a very special brother."
Wallace had planned to go into finance and "had been reared to aid the kingdom of God," Bishop Wagner said. "He had a 4.0 grade point average, had just completed his finals and aced them all."
Why a young man with such a bright future was taken is a puzzle, the bishop said. "Our faith tells us that all things work together for the good although not everything that happens is good. There are some things about God we will never understand."
When asked what he thinks should happen to Biswanath Halder, the 62-year-old man charged with Wallace's killing and two counts of attempted aggravated murder, Bishop Wagner said, "I haven't given the assailant the privilege of my thought."
Although the bishop acknowledges feeling angry, he said he refuses to take part in the proliferation of bad feelings.
Two of Wallace's brothers recalled their last contact with him, both indicating they experienced what may have been a glimpse into the future.
David said that when his brother last visited, he was unusually drawn to him and became uneasy when Norman got up to leave.
"My wife went to the store and bought him pop and chips," he said. As the two brothers walked to the car, David said he handed his brother the pop -- "he really liked Pepsi, and I just said, 'Norman, I'll see you later.'"
Wallace's brother Kevin said he also had a feeling that something was about to change.
The last time the brothers talked, Kevin said he told Norman, "You're in my heart. Should anything happen, I'll see you in heaven."
That was a week or two before the shooting.
"I'm glad some of us had the chance to say goodbye," Kevin reflected.
"His light shines through all of us," a sister, Sheila, added.
With so many siblings, she said, there were always lots of squabbles, but she can't remember arguing with Norman. "Norman was a peacemaker," she said.