Public Media from Michigan State University

Flags Lowered In Honor Of Rep. Kivela

Gov. Snyder ordered flags lowered on the State Capitol complex in honor of Rep. John Kivela.
Rick Pluta

Flags in Michigan were lowered on Friday in honor of state lawmaker. 

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder ordered flags lowered to half-staff on Friday honor the memory of a state House representative.

John Kivela was found dead in his Lansing home on Tuesday, hours after being released from jail. The Marquette Democrat was arrested Monday for suspected drunk driving.

Snyder ordered flags to be lowered Friday on the State Capitol complex and in Kivela's 109th District in the Upper Peninsula. He was serving his third term in the House.

Kivela pleaded guilty to a drunken driving offense in December 2015 and said that he "battled alcoholism" for most of his adult life. A spokesman said he had entered treatment to get better.

A service is being held in his honor at 2 p.m. Saturday at Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

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