DEARBORN, Mich. – Despite horrible weather on the day of John Dingell's funeral, Tuesday morning's mass was well-attended by friends, family members and people who wanted to pay their respects.
But there was a large group of congressional colleagues who couldn't make it to Dingell's service because of weather.
The service was delayed for about 35 minutes with hopes that the congressional delegation from Washington would be able to land, but it eventually became clear that it wasn't going to happen.
Missouri Rep. Billy Long tweeted that the passengers held an impromptu service at 30,000 feet for Dingell, led by Rep. John Lewis and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
After a delayed start, the plane took off for Detroit, circled there for an hour -- waiting for the temperature to rise 1 degree for a safe landing -- and eventually left because the temperature never rose.
Pelosi echoed the disappointment of the entire delegation.
"John Lewis led us in prayer on our plane," Pelosi said.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin also tweeted that Michigan weather prevented her and 70 members of Congress from attending the funeral.
"I am terribly sorry to not have been able to join my friend, Rep. Debbie Dingell, on such an important day, but we will attend the service in D.C. later this week," Slotkin tweeted.
The Washington service is planned for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. That service will also be open to the public.