Hundreds of people congregated at the Indiana Statehouse on Friday to attend a funeral service for former Representative Andrew Jacobs Jr., USA TODAY reported.
Jacobs passed away on Saturday at the age of 81.
Governor Mike Pence was scheduled to speak at the service that began at noon, in addition to Rep. Andre Carson, who currently holds the seat Jacobs once filled.
Gov. Pence ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday to honor the late congressman.
Jacobs, a Democrat, served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1959 to 1960 and then onto the U.S. House of Representatives from 1965 to 1973. In 1972, he lost a re-election to Republican Bill Hudnut, but was re-elected in 1974 and served until 1997.
Before serving in public office, Jacobs was a sheriff's deputy and served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was known for creating the term "chicken hawks" for pro-war politicians who didn't spend time in the armed forces and didn't feel the need for their children to either.
Fellow lawmakers remember Jacobs as someone who was always willing to reach across the aisle to foster productive communication and results in Congress.
"That's why he kept getting elected," said Democratic Rep. Ed DeLaney. "He was a pillar of the local community, and he had a boyish charm, even when he got much older."
"He would be at hardwares and grocery stores and talk to people about their problems," former state GOP Chairman Gordon Durnil said. "That's the thing I was impressed with the most."
