LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder ordered U.S. flags to be lowered to half-staff throughout Michigan in honor of Sgt. Mark Schoonhoven, of Fort Carson, Colo., formerly of Plainwell, on Thursday, Feb. 7. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Friday, Feb. 8.

Sgt. Schoonhoven, 38, died Jan. 20, 2013, at Brooke Army Medical Center in Houston, Texas, from wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device on Dec. 15, 2012, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 32nd Transportation Company, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, 4thInfantry Division in Fort Carson, Colo. Schoonhoven was serving his fifth tour of duty.

“On behalf of the entire state, I extend heartfelt condolences to Sgt. Schoonhoven’s wife, Tammie, their six children and his entire family during this difficult time,” said Snyder. “We will forever remember the great sacrifice Sgt. Schoonhoven made in service to his country.”

Schoonhoven attended Plainwell High School, and completed basic training at Fort Knox, KY after joining the U.S. Army in 2006.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Winkel Funeral Home in Otsego. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Otsego.

When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant, 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.