Missing Ontonagon County man found alive

ONTONAGON COUNTY, Mich. (WJMN) – UPDATE (8/24/2024): On Saturday, August 24 at approximately 11:40 a.m., Richard Joseph Schaefer was located alive by the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department.

According to a release from Ontonagon County Undersheriff Charles Pantti, Schaefer was located approximately 1.7 miles off of M26 near the Firesteel Bridges in a wooded area. Schaefer was transported by SONCO EMS for treatment of dehydration and exposure.

The Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department says it would like to thank all who assisted in the extensive search including, USFS Forest Service and Law Enforcement, Michigan DNR, Michigan State Police, Houghton County Sheriff’s Dept., Greenland Fire Dept., Houghton County Emergency services personnel, Negaunee Regional Dispatch, and all private citizens that volunteered time.

ORIGINAL POST (8/23/24):

The Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department says they are actively searching for a missing 78-year-old man from Greenland.

The sheriff’s department says Richard Joseph Schaefer was last seen around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21 leaving his residence in Greenland.  They go on to report he left driving a Black 2004 Chevy Trailblazer with MI registration plates reading ‘DV6266A’ to an unknown destination.

Schaefer is described as 5’9″ with glasses. Police do not know what clothing he was wearing at the time of his disappearance.

If anyone has information, they are asked to contact the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department at 906-884-4901 or dial 911.

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