LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of former state Sen. William Van Regenmorter, of Jenison, who died Monday. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Friday.

“Sen. Van Regenmorter tirelessly served the people of Michigan and his many contributions will not be forgotten,” Snyder said. “Our thoughts are with his wife, Cheryl, four children and the entire Van Regenmorter family during this time.”

Prior to his retirement, Van Regenmorter served four House terms beginning in 1982, three Senate terms beginning in 1990 and was elected to the House twice more, beginning in 2002. During his tenure in the Michigan Legislature, he authored Michigan’s Crime Victim’s Rights Act of 1985 and sponsored legislation to encourage recycling, reduce crime and protect abused children.

Visitation is set for 6-9 p.m. today and 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home in Grandville. A memorial service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Baldwin Street Christian Reformed Church in Jenison.

When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff or half-mast position. The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.