CLEVELAND -- Tearful fans and fellow entertainers including R&B heart throb Usher Raymond mourned R&B singer Gerald Levert at Friday's funeral service billed as a celebration of his life, family and music.

The service was moved to the larger Public Hall in downtown to make 6,000 seats available to fans of Levert, 40, who died Nov. 10 at his suburban Cleveland home. A preliminary autopsy showed he had mild to moderate heart disease.

Most of the seats were filled by fans who cheered, clapped and yelled, "We love you!" in response to a heartfelt eulogy by Levert's father, O'Jay's singer Eddie Levert.

"He loved you all the way to the end," said the father, who was hugged by another performer son, Sean, who wiped away tears with a white handkerchief.

Levert said his son was always concerned about good and evil in the world and worried that evil might prevail.

"That always showed up in his songs," Levert said.

Celebrities at the service included Usher, who wore a black suit and overcoat, rapper and producer Jermaine Dupri, singer Angela Winbush, journalist Ed Gordon, and the main eulogist, TV Judge Greg Mathis.

Levert first gained fame in 1986 as a member of the R&B trio LeVert, which also included his brother, Sean, and childhood friend Marc Gordon. They quickly racked up hits like "(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind," "Casanova," and "Baby I'm Ready."

Eddie Levert, Gerald's father, is a member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame-inducted O'Jays.

Over Gerald Levert's two-decade music career, he sold millions of albums and had numerous R&B hits.

A heart attack is suspected, but an official cause of death has not been determined. An autopsy was performed, and official results are pending. Levert's remains will be cremated.

In lieu of flowers, the Levert family is asking that donations be made to the R&B Foundation. Checks should be written in the name of the R&B Foundation and forwarded to Andy Gibson c/o Trevel Productions, Inc., 13816 Cedar Road, University Heights, OH 44118.

Cards may be sent in c/o:

93.1 WZAK
Attn: General Manager Chris Forgy
2510 St. Clair Avenue NE
Cleveland, OH 44114