Wallace, Michael Jay

Michael Jay Wallace went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 7, 2013, surrounded by his family after a five-year courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 10, at Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Lisbon. Service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 11, at the church, with Pastor Sean Lillis presiding. A private family burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Surviving Mike are his wife, Linda; their three children, Jayson, Cody and Alyssa Wallace, all of Lisbon; his brothers, David Wallace and Daniel Wallace, both of Cedar Rapids; his twin brother, Steve Wallace of Marion; and a sister, Julie Wallace Zimmerman of Chicago.

Preceding Mike in death were his parents, Richard and Maureen Wallace; and his younger brother, Larry Wallace.

Michael was born Dec. 17, 1958, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1977. He met and fell in love with his best friend and soul mate, Linda Rodgers, and they married June 4, 1983. He worked at The Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids, Century Engineering, Hallmark Care Center and for the Cedar Rapids School District for 27 years.

Mike accepted Jesus into his heart at age 8 and has been a very faithful servant of God. He had a strong Faith and relationship to the Lord. He was an elder and member of Grace Bible Fellowship in Lisbon, had a heart for youth and led many children and adults to Jesus. He had a servant's heart and loved people and wanted them to know Jesus in a personal way.

He was the love of Linda's life, the best husband and father a family could ask for. He was a friend to everyone he met! He enjoyed spending time with Linda and his children, traveling, riding bikes, always painting and working at the church, gardening and visiting people.

Mike will be greatly missed by all of us who survive him. He was the strongest and most faithful man of God and we were blessed to be able to call him husband, pops, dad, brother and friend! He will forever be missed.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials can be made to Grace Bible Fellowship Church, 230 East Market St., Lisbon, IA 52253 or Unity Point Hospice.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published June 9, 2013 in The Gazette