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Saying goodbye

MARQUETTE, MI--   People came from across the 109th District and the state itself Saturday to honor a man one person called one of the most effective lawmakers in the state: John Kivela.

Dozens of extra chairs had to be set out to accommodate the hundreds of people who called themselves friends, family, co-workers, or constituents of the Marquette Democrat, who passed away last Tuesday.

Reverend Leon Jarvis officiated at the service held in the Great Lakes Rooms of NMU’s University Center. He spoke of John’s deep love for his wife Sandy and children Shelby and Andrew, and didn’t fail to mention John’s abiding fondness for his three Saint Bernards.

Shelby Kivela had the crowd laughing as she shared stories from her dad’s youth, relayed how he successfully staged an outdoor scene to get more recreation money from Governor Rick Snyder, and lovingly called him a teller of tall tales. She ended her eulogy with the Packers’ “GO PACK GO” theme.

Senator David Knezek, John’s roommate at his house in Lansing, said John was known for bringing people of all political affiliations together to discuss the issues and would often craft bills and hand them to other lawmakers if he thought they had a better chance of passing under their name.  

Both Shelby Kivela and Knezek said it was critical to talk about alcoholism and its effects, that John was an amazing man with demons that finally won. They urged their listeners to break the silence and get rid of the shame concerning addiction, to tell and listen to the stories.

Finally, amidst tears, smiles, and both heavy and grateful hearts, a bagpiper played Amazing Grace to usher John to the next stop on his journey.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.
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