PENDLETON, Ind. —
Neal Shull didn’t think twice about stopping to provide aid that Thursday night, his wife suspects.
“He saw a woman in need and stopped and said, ‘Do you need some help?’” Noelle Shull said, speculating on her husband’s last moments alive on July 26. “Neal had a kind heart. If you needed something he was right there.”
Noelle Shull says that Claudia Bailey, estranged wife of Kenneth James Bailey Jr., related to her the following description of the night of Neal Shull’s death: Neal, 48, was driving by 318 E. Water St. when he saw Kenneth Bailey arguing with Claudia Bailey and stopped his car. Kenneth Bailey then said to Claudia Bailey, “I’m going to show you I’m serious,” before raising a gun and shooting Neal six times, killing him instantly.
That night, one officer was seriously hurt and a K-9 killed before Kenneth Bailey shot himself to death.
Noelle and Neal had a whirlwind romance. They first met after Neal sent Noelle an instant message on a Sunday in October 2004. They talked on the phone all week with plans for a first date on a Friday. Neal couldn’t wait for Friday; they ended up spending the day together Thursday.
Their second date didn’t go as planned either. Noelle was sick. Neal held her hair back out of the way as she vomited. They made the best of the worst times — and the unremarkable ones.
“We just enjoyed each other,” Noelle said. “We didn’t have to do anything special, just be together.”
They married March 12, 2005.
“Neal was the nicest person I’ve ever known,” Noelle said. “He made me laugh every single day. I knew every day how blessed I was and how much he loved me.”
Neal owned NS Painting for 29 years. He was a hard worker and perfectionist who had pride in his work and his relationship with his clients. He enjoyed restoring classic cars and was a member of the Kiwanis service club.
Neal’s love for his children was strong. He spoke to them — Evan, Nicole and Heather — every day.
“Everyone says, ‘It will get better with time; it won’t hurt as time goes by,’” Noelle said. “But it hurts exactly as much as it did from the first day. I have nothing to look forward to now. I can’t even imagine how that emptiness and pain will ever change. But I know I’ll make it because I have to. I’m going to be a good person and Christian and go to heaven so I can see my husband again.”
Faces of Domestic Violence
Related Photos
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Neal Shull
Discussion
Neal Shull: 'My joy'
- Faces of Domestic Violence
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Who can stop domestic violence? You
The elimination of abuse in relationships — with time, cooperation and commitment — is possible, said Colleen Yeakle, coordinator of the Indiana Coalition of Domestic Violence’s (ICADV) prevention initiative.
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Legislation comes a long way, but more change needed
Each year the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence sets its legislative priorities based on year-round discussions with its members and legislators to see what needs are out there and what is going on in the field.
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Children affected by abuse too
While some may think the atmosphere at Alternatives, the Anderson domestic violence shelter, would be a somber one, instead it is a building filled with laughter and joy.
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Kristy Gissendanner: 'Vivacious and sweet'
Six-day-old Gabrielle Gissendanner and her 18-month-old brother Michael weren’t far from their mom when Harry Gissendanner shot and killed Kristy in their Anderson home in 2004.
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John Davis: ‘Defined by your actions and inactions’
John Davis wants his pain to make a difference. He’s hopeful sharing what he experienced and witnessed growing up will empower someone else to leave a dangerous situation or avoid it altogether.
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‘It was life-altering’
Casey Huffman should have taken her son Camdon to his first day of kindergarten this year. She should be picking out a Halloween costume for him. She should be thinking about how to help him achieve his hopes and dreams. Instead, Casey mourns over his all-too-early death.
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Tina Tomlinson: 'She was a hoot'
Tina Tomlinson was just “plain fun,” her family recalled. The mother of two and dedicated grandmother was someone family could look to for a good time.
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Domestic violence prevention is possible, expert says
Gender stereotypes are just one thing that Todd Cawthorn and five other speakers, during a 90-minute panel discussion Tuesday night, talked about that create an environment where domestic violence is accepted.
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Teens can be victims of domestic violence, too
Dating violence has been seen locally in relationships as young as sixth grade, Alternatives Inc. prevention specialist Todd Cawthorn said.
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Justice for victims
While a protective order is an important piece of the legal puzzle that domestic violence victims have to solve, Judge Stephen Clase stresses to each that it is, after all, “just a piece of paper.” “They won’t stop a knife or a bullet,” he said. “I tell them they need to be on guard at all times.”
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