New Michigan representative leaves hospital after coma

11/29/2005

MONROE Freshman state Rep. Herb Kehrl (D., Monroe) was discharged from the University of Michigan Hospital yesterday after slipping into and back out of a coma during treatment for an undisclosed illness.

Mr. Kehrl, 63, a retired elementary school principal serving his first term in the Legislature, was admitted before Thanksgiving and slipped into a coma Thursday night. He emerged from the coma Saturday and was sent home yesterday, said fellow state Rep. Kathy Angerer (D., Dundee).

He s very, very sick, and he needs all of our prayers and support right now, Mrs. Angerer said. She declined to discuss the nature of Mr. Kehrl s illness. Mr. Kehrl s wife, Karen, could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Kehrl has not attended sessions of the state Legislature for several weeks, but knowledge of his ailment was kept quiet at the direction of the family until the priest at his church in Monroe asked his fellow parishioners to pray for him this weekend, Mrs. Angerer said.