The Chicago native killed himself in his California home this month. On Wednesday, some 200 Chicagoans paid tribute to Cornelius at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
The Chicago Sun Times reports a memorial service is planned for Thursday in Hollywood Hills, California.
The "semi-private" service will include tributes from Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Lionel Richie.
The Reverend Jesse Jackson will give the eulogy.