Department of State. The inscription reads: Kim Sigler (1894-1953), a native of Schuyler, Nebraska, received his law degree from the University of Detroit in 1918. While attending law school, Sigler worked at Henry Ford’s Highland Park plant. He first practiced law in Detroit, where he worked in the office of Edwin Denby, former secretary of the navy, and Judge Arthur Webster. In 1922 his family moved to Hastings. A Democrat at that time, he was elected as Barry County prosecutor for three consecutive terms. In 1928 he unsuccessfully ran against Wilber M. Brucker for attorney general. In the late 1920s Sigler took office as city attorney, serving in that capacity for over ten years. He returned to private practice and moved to Battle Creek in 1943. Kim Sigler’s vigor and courtroom manner led to his selection as a special prosecutor for a grand jury probe of legislative graft in 1943. The success of this investigation gave him a statewide reputation. Though originally a Democrat, he won the Republican gubernatorial nomination and election in 1946. His was one of the largest gubernatorial majorities in the country that year. In office, he created the Department of Administration, effected changes in the Prison and Corrections Department, and revitalized the unemployment compensation program and the Public Service Commission. However, he faced an uncooperative legislature and division within his cabinet. He was defeated for reelection in 1948. He died while piloting his own plane in a crash near Battle Creek on November 30, 1953. References External links Kim Sigler at National Governors Association Kim Silger at Political Graveyard Aviation article references Sigler getting his pilot certificate 1894 births 1953 deaths Governors of Michigan Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in the United States Methodists from Michigan Accidental deaths in Michigan Michigan Republicans University of Michigan alumni University of Detroit Mercy alumni People from Schuyler, Nebraska Michigan Democrats Burials in Michigan Republican Party governors of Michigan 20th-century American politicians Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1953