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Clewley Discussion Thread :: Joe Clewley
SAR Ops Page :: Other resources
A Michigan
Backcountry Search and Rescue Op
for
Joseph Robert Clewley
Missing since July 13, 2008
by
Michael A. Neiger (a.k.a. LandNavMan)
Senior SAR Team Leader
Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue
Marquette :: Michigan
Other resources
Notice: This Web site is no longer being maintained; for the latest information on the search for Joe Clewley, visit his new Web site.
Page contents
•
Media archive
• Missing
persons resources
•
Internet discussion thread for
Clewley case
•
Messages for Clewley family, friends,
and SAR Teams
•
Submit messages, comments, suggestions,
or corrections
Sunset over Joe's Country, as viewed
from Snug Harbor,
which is situated 3.5 miles downstream from the Clewley log cabin.
(Photo from SAR Team Op
No. 3 by Michael Neiger)
Going to
the woods is going home,
for I suppose we came from the woods originally.
—John Muir, US naturalist, 1838-1914
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Media archive
To read media coverage of the Joe Clewley case, point your Internet browser to:
July 16, 2008 The Sault Ste. Marie Evening News (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan)
July 17, 2008 WLUC TV 6 (Negaunee, Michigan)
July 17, 2008 WWTV/WWUP TV 9&10 (Cadillac, Michigan)
July 17, 2008 WWTV/WWUP TV 9&10 (Cadillac, Michigan)
July 17, 2008 WPBN TV 7&4 (Traverse City, Michigan)
July 17, 2008 WFQX-TV Fox 33 (Cadillac, Michigan)
July 18, 2008 WPBN TV 7&4 (Traverse City, Michigan)
July 18, 2008 The Sault Star (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada)
July 19, 2008 The Sault Star (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada)
July 19, 2008 The Mining Journal (Marquette, Michigan)
July 23, 2008 WLUC TV 6 (Negaunee, Michigan)
July 24, 2008 The Sault Ste. Marie Evening News (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan)
July 24, 2008 WPBN TV 7&4 (Traverse City, Michigan)
July 26, 2008 WATZ Radio (Alpena, Michigan)
July 31, 2008 The Houghton Lake Resorter (Houghton Lake, Michigan)
August 5, 2008 WWTV/WWUP TV 9&10 (Cadillac, Michigan)
August 5, 2008 WFQX-TV Fox 33 (Cadillac, Michigan)
August 9, 2008 The Mining Journal (Marquette, Michigan)
August 24, 2008 The Mining Journal (Marquette, Michigan)
October 7, 2008 The Sault Ste. Marie Evening News (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan)
October 10, 2008 The Mining Journal (Marquette, Michigan)
October 11, 2008 WLUC TV 6 (Negaunee, Michigan)
June 25, 2009 The Mining Journal (Marquette, Michigan)
Notice: This Web site is no longer being maintained; for the latest information on the search for Joe Clewley, visit his new Web site.
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Missing persons resources
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Internet discussion thread for Clewley case
To keep up to date about the search for Joe Clewley and his dog Chip, point your Internet browser to the Joseph Clewley Internet discussion thread on Backpacker Magazine's Midwest Forum.
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Messages received on behalf
of the Clewley family, friends, and members of SAR teams
If you would like to post a message for the Clewley family, friends, or SAR team members, please e-mail it to Michael Neiger (LandNavMan) or mail it to him at 313 Jonathan Carver Road, Marquette, Michigan 49855.
Thank you.
We'd all like to thank you for what you are doing. I wish I was closer so I could help. I live in upstate New York...
—Tom Rausch, upstate New York, nephew of Joe Clewley, July 24, 2008Thanks for your efforts to assist in finding either Joe or what happened.
—JohnHens, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, July 28, 2008Best to you and your team! I am a member of Michigan Search and Rescue (K9 Team out of Lower Peninsula) that conducted a search. We all left very heavy hearted that the find was not made and the family could not be given peace. The Clewley family are truly wonderful people!
God Speed to you all! I'll be fervently praying for you!
—Heather LaFave, a Michigan Search and Rescue K9-team member who spent 3 days on Clewley search, July 31, 2008Thank You so much for the help Mike. My family and I are very appreciative of your assistance.
—Joe Clewley, Jr., Lansing, Michigan, son of Joe Clewley, Sr., July 31, 2008The web page you have established for Joe Clewely is awesome! Thank you for keeping the information about Joe's disappearance updated. I read your forum daily to see what progress, if any, has been made in this case...My heart felt prayers go out to the family but I also wanted to thank you for all the time you have put into this. Also, I am sure the family appreciates your efforts to continue the search for Joe.
Again, thank you for helping the Clewley family. I hope some clues come along that lead you in the right direction. Also, thank you for keeping everyone so informed with the information in the website for Joe and the forum blogs!! Your information is much appreciated!!!!
—Melissa Rokicki, Rochester Hills, Michigan, friend of the family, July 31, 2008Best of luck to all searchers. Michael, excellent job coordinating the effort.
—JustMeAgain (Alan Wenker), White Bear Township, Minnesota, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, July 31, 2008I've been following this thread since the start. I really hope that this is a search and rescue and not a recovery mission.
Best of luck to you all and my gratitude for your efforts.
—Graya, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, August 1, 2008I am writing this on behalf of the Clewley family, who are unable to post at this time. They would like to thank everyone involved in the search for all their time and effort. Your caring and concern means more to us than you will ever know. God gives everyone different gifts and the mercy and compassion gifts are very evident through your efforts.
God Bless.
—OutDoorsMan, on behalf of the Rausch Family, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, August 1, 2008I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the web site, but most of all, the untiring efforts put forth by you & many others to find Joe Clewley. It is just so hard to believe. Joe was a gentle man & loved nature. It is ironic that the very scenery that he loves would engulf his life. I have much faith that Joe will be found & God in his mercy will answer prayers for the family, & all those who searched so valiantly for him. And of course there are prayers for you & all others who have searched & continued searching to find him.
Peace be with you.
—Joan L Murphy, a long-time family friend, August 2, 2008I am overwhelmed and without words to describe my family's gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do. Your search efforts, communications and website have brought my Dad's spirit to life for others and keeps our hope alive that he will be found.
Thank you so much. God bless.
—Jamie Anderson (Clewley), Opelika, Alabama, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., August 2, 2008
Thanks again for all the help Chris and You provided over the weekend. Your attention to detail is greatly appreciated. I know those beaver floodings are a mess and it was wonderful that you could cover them for us....With my dad still missing we greatly appreciate any help we can get from trained individuals such as yourself....My family and I wanted to extend a great thanks to you and those individuals wishing to follow your lead into the bush.
—Joe Clewley, Jr., Lansing, Michigan, son of Joe Clewley, Sr., August 4, 2008Good luck with your efforts and I hope they find Mr. Clewly alive and well. If anyone could find him, I'd say you and [Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue] would be the best bet. Who else would stay out in the bush for multiple nights and continue on with the search.
—Michael Fogarty (NCThiker), St.Clair Shores, Michigan, August 4, 2008Firstly, thank you for the wonderful website updates. Joe and Lorraine are friends of ours and we appreciate ALL that you are doing to help....Our thoughts and prayers are with all those helping in the search, you are all so wonderful, and our prayers as well for Lorraine and the kids that they soon may have answers and find Joe....Won't keep you any longer, you are a busy man, keep up the great work for a great family.
THANK YOU!
—Friends of Joe and Loraine Clewley, Higgins Lake area, August 4, 2008Just wanted to check in and let you know that Joe, his family and the SAR crews are in my thoughts and prayer.
—Ron, Chicago, Illinois, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, August 4, 2008Thanks for all your efforts to find this man. This situation is every hiker's worst nightmare....The whole situation is a good reminder that the NCT is not all as tame as many people believe.
—SharkBytes, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, August 5, 2008I would like to thank everyone who has helped in the Search Rescue Op for my father. I have gained a respect for the Backpacking group from Mike Neiger and Oz [Chris Ozminski]. These are truly dedicated individuals. My father would be beaming from the pictures Mike has posted. A quote from my father "You cannot appreciate or truly discuss the area if you do not leave the quad or trail". He believed that trails just got you to the area you wanted to start to investigate.
—Tkdjunkie (Russ Clewley), son of Joe Clewley, Sr., Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, August 5, 2008Kudos to you and all the others who have kept up the effort to find Joe. Let's hope Chip leads you to him somehow. Whether a rescue or recovery the family will be grateful for all your efforts.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
—Pam, SOLAR Club PR Chair, Yahoo.Com SolarOutdoors Group, August 6, 2008Thank you Mike for continuing to search for my Dad, it gave us some comfort to know that even though we had to return home...that you were going to be there searching for him. All our friends and family continue to read your forum and the web page for an update on the latest search news....
God Bless you and the others [from Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue] .
—Teresa Clewley, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., August 12, 2008We live at Higgins Lake and have known the Clewley family for many a year and are so glad we came across your site so that we can keep up with what is going on. When you see them will you please let them know that Al & Kay Weeks are keeping them in our prayers daily.
Thank you for all the love and compassion you are showing this family.
—Al & Kay Weeks, Higgins Lake, Michigan, friends of the Clewley family, August 13, 2008Thank you and Chris so much for your continued effort. We appreciate all that you guys have done in an attempt to help us find our dad. Also, thanks for the kind gift of pasties (A true taste of the great north country). As you know there is no power or oven at the camp. We wrapped them in foil and cooked them over a camp fire. They came out great and were extremely good.
Thanks again for everything.,
—Joe Clewley, Jr., Lansing, Michigan, son of Joe Clewley, Sr., August 18, 2008I'll...put a link from the NCT website to [Joe Clewley’s missing-person] page. Please keep us in the loop as to progress. I've had Joe and his family in my prayers.
—Bruce Mathews, Executive Director, North Country Trail (NCT) Association, August 8, 2008
I admire and respect the effort you guys have made in helping with this search, He sounds like a great man. Very unfortunate. At least, he is probably where he enjoyed life the most. Thanks for the updates and your total effort!!
—jjo (Jerry), Illinois, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, August 25, 2008I pray that Joe's family has peace. Hopefully this tragic event comes to an end soon."And he enjoyed living the simple life when staying at his circa-1920's Chippewa Hunting Post, hauling water from a local spring and cooking on a wood stove. No electricity, no generators, no solar panels, no well, just muscle-based subsistence living." In my dreams I own a cabin such as this.
—JustMeAgain (Alan Wenker), White Bear Township, Minnesota, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, August 26, 2008I really hope there is some resolution soon....I feel very bad for the family, the not knowing must be intolerable. Great to see you again and work with you on a story.
—John Pepin, Munising Bureau reporter for the Mining Journal, August 26, 2008I just wanted to echo thanks for all you are doing. I frequently check this wonderful site and really enjoy your photography and writing! Good luck to you and God bless you for what you are doing.
—Dawn Nye, Lansing, Michigan, friend of Clewley family, August 26, 2008Thank you for providing this website, Joe is my uncle and I check this site often for updates and information. Aunt Lorraine, I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Keep praying…
God bless you all.
—Sharon Cardenas, niece of Joe Clewley, Sr., August 28,2008Thanks Mike & fellow Bushrats for your unwavering support and search operations. It’s of great comfort to know you're out there.
Blessings.
—Teresa Clewley, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., August 28, 2008Thank you again for all your efforts. I don't know what good deed gave us the blessing of having you in our lives at this particular moment in time; but I'm forever grateful that we have had your unwavering support, expertise and commitment towards Dad's search. I have been told by my brother Russ that during your search this weekend that you were able to [locate an item of clothing]....
As you can imagine, being in Alabama has distanced me from the search efforts; but I'm able to maintain some connection from the detail you provide. Also, if you could; please include me on your email list for my family with information about your search. Your communications are a lifeline for all of us. Thank you again Michael; at the end of this journey I hope we can somehow return this gift to you.
God bless.
—Jamie Anderson (Clewley), Opelika, Alabama, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., September 2, 2008Special thanks to you and the Bush Rats for your diligent efforts to find Mr. Clewley. Your web site has helped many of us keep up on how the search is going. Thank you for the work you have put into the site. On a personal note, Teresa Clewley is a old friend from high school. There are several of us that graduated with Teresa that would like to touch base with her and send our support....Our thoughts are with the Clewley family.
Thanks.
—Jeff Neville, friend of Teresa Clewley, September 4, 2008Hey Mike...I just wanted to say thank you for the clue. It was getting very frustrating to search without any sign of my dad. After approximately fifty days of searching, you somewhat broke the case with your discovery....
Anyway, thanks again for the help and the reassurance that there is still hope, through any little clue, that we might find my dad.
—Joe Clewley, Jr., Lansing, Michigan, son of Joe Clewley, Sr., September 6, 2008Thanks for the update and all the hard work you guys are doing.
—OutDoorsMan, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, September 13, 2008I pray something turns up soon. Thanks, Land NavMan, for all you and your associates are doing. It's certainly a beautiful place!
Thoughts are with family and friends of Joe.
—LizsBaby, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, September 14, 2008Please thank Chris [Ozminski] from all of us for giving his time this past weekend. I am looking forward to reading his journal.
—Jamie Anderson (Clewley), Opelika, Alabama, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., September 17, 2008Thank you for [your] continued diligence in the quest to find my Dad. It makes it easier to continue to push through to the next available time for searching when I know that you guys are out there covering the most likely places that he could be. My family can not begin to thank you enough, we are blessed to have such good people as you & Chris helping to locate him.
Very grateful,
—Teresa Clewley, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., October 2, 2008I would like to add my continued thanks to Mike and Chris for the undying efforts that you have displayed. Thank you for the website and the searches, it has been a comfort when we aren't able to be there. I hope that we are able to locate my father soon to put this tragedy to rest. I also would like to thank everyone who has responded to the thread, I don't feel so alone with your responses.
Thank you everyone.
—Tkdjunkie (Russ Clewley), son of Joe Clewley, Sr., Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, October 3, 2008Special thanks to John Shepard and his fellow property owners along the Tahqua Trail for graciously granting SAR teams ongoing permission to search their property for any sign of the whereabouts of Joseph Clewley. The Clewley family, my partner Chris Ozminski, and myself appreciate your cooperation immensely.
All the Best,
—Michael Neiger, Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue (MiBSAR), Marquette, Michigan, October 15, 2008Special thanks to Dave Holcomb and Kari Dunn of Michigan Search and Rescue (MiSAR) for fielding 6 K-9 teams during SAR Op 12. Your team's time, expertise, and professionalism were greatly appreciated by the Clewley family, Chris Ozminski, and myself. We look forward to working with you on future SAR Ops, especially on November 1-2.
All the Best,
—Michael Neiger, Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue (MiBSAR), Marquette, Michigan, October 15, 2008It was very good working with the MiSAR people (and dogs). They're quite dedicated and kind hearted with valuable skills. I look forward to working with them again.
—Chris Ozminski (NightBlazer), MiBSAR team member, Frankenmuth, Michigan, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, October 13, 2008
Thanks for your continued efforts to help find Joe. I hope you or someone is able to locate Joe to give closure to the lost man's family.
—JohnHens, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, October 19, 2008I have been struggling for several days now on how to appropriately thank all who were involved in the October 11, 12 search, and those who continue to comb the Tahquamenon State Forest in hopes of finding the elusive Joseph R. Clewley.
My family will be forever grateful to those of you who have given your time and energies to plan, assist, write, lead, navigate, manage base camps, smell the air (the talented dogs), and offer words of hope to us. Each person has brought specialties and ideas that have benefited this search.
If my Dad were here, he would be overwhelmed with the generosity of spirit shown to our family. I look forward, as do my brothers and sisters (Mom included as she would like to personally thank you all) to the search on Nov 1, 2.
My Dad has been blessed by God to have remained for this additional time in his favorite place, but I sincerely hope that we are successful either before that weekend, or during the efforts in November to finally put him to rest.
God Bless you all,
—Teresa Clewley, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., October 22, 2008Thank you Mike for everything, as you are a big part of the coordination and communication to all of the people who have joined us in the search and those who continue to offer words of hope and strength from afar.
—Teresa Clewley, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., October 22, 2008The family has been a real help in keeping this investigation fresh in the minds of the public as well as this investigator....
Special thanks must go out to Mike Neiger and Chris Ozminski. They have dedicated most of their summer searching diligently in the search area. A personal thanks to them is needed as their searching came up with some very pertinent/hard-to-find evidence that has lead this investigation in a certain direction.
Mr. Neiger is a survivalist with an extensive Law Enforcement background. His knowledge in the preservation of evidence and crime lab expertise has been a great help in the field.
—Det./Sgt. Mike Bitnar, lead investigator, Chippewa County Sheriff's Office Web site, October 23, 2008Take care and again, thank you for everything; your efforts and time given to find my Dad.
Blessings,
—Teresa Clewley, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., November 16, 2008Thanks again Michael. It's a great comfort to know you are planning to return to "Joe's Country" this winter.
—Jamie (Clewley) Anderson, Opelika, Alabama, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., November 17, 2008I NEVER trust anyone when it comes to navigation, observation, and after just a few minutes, I totally let you [Michael Neiger] handle it and trusted that you were getting me where I had to go, and we[re] keeping it safe. You were the best I've worked with....
Given the opportunity to have you with us on a search, I would choose you EVERY time. It is a rare opportunity to just watch/work the dog without having to worry about navigation/observation. This was echoed by Rayanne [Team Cota] who worked with Chris [Ozminski]. Couldn't say enough good things.
—Dave Holcomb, K-9 Team Tyche, founder of Michigan Search and Rescue (MiSAR), November 21, 2008I would definitely use them [MiBSAR] as [K-9] FS [field support] again. They are awesome.
—Pam, K-9 Team Andor, Michigan Search and Rescue (MiSAR), November 22, 2008Thank you again for the time Chris [Ozminski] and you [Michael Neiger] have dedicated to finding my dad and helping my family....I know that my family and I look at you guys as more than dedicated searchers....[you're] friends.
—Joe Clewley, Jr., Lansing, Michigan, son of Joe Clewley, Sr., December 2, 2008You guys are amazing.....nothing stops you. Thank you!!
—OutDoorsMan, upstate New York, nephew of Joe, Sr., Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, December 11, 2008Thank you [Michael Neiger] so much for all of your time and efforts dedicated to the search for our loved one, Joseph Clewley. Your unwavering support, expertise, and coordination has been a vital catalyst to any progress that has been made over these months and we will be forever grateful.
—The Clewley Family, Houghton Lake area, Michigan, December 15, 2008Mike [Neiger] and Chris [Ozminski], you are definitely our dark cloud's sliver lining!! We truly couldn't have gotten through these last months without you. Thank you so much for everything. Especially your friendship!!
Take care.
—Laurie Clewley-Tupper, Grand Rapids, Michigan, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., December 23, 2008Just a note to let everyone know how much I appreciate the sacrifices, effort and skills in helping us find Joe. I never knew there were such kind and thoughtful people who would go thru what you folks have gone.
I have walked many times with Joe over this type of terrain and I have some idea of what you have gone through. I wanted to come up, but I haven't handled this very good and would just be in the way. Believe me, I pray each day for some closure and when your out there my heart is with each one of you.
I just want to say Thank you from all who knew Joe and especially to those who never met him.
May God bless you all,
—Lorraine Clewley, Houghton Lake area, Michigan, wife of Joe Clewley, Sr., June 14, 2009Mike, Thanks for your continued work. I know that my family and I really appreciate the effort you have made and continue to make. Please extend my thanks to Burt [Crawford] also.
—Joe Clewley, Jr., Lansing, Michigan, son of Joe Clewley, Sr., June 18, 2009Thanks for being out there and trying new methods to locate any evidence. Please extend our appreciation to Burt Crawford and the others involved over Sunday and Monday.
—Teresa M. Clewley, Three Rivers, Michigan, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., June 18, 2009.I would like to applaud your enormous effort to locate Mr. Clewley. I hope I never get in that situation but if I would, the Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue is the outfit to call....
I wish you and your elite group all the luck in the world and my heart goes out for the family.
—Keith W. Klos, President, Allegheny National Forest Chapter of the North Country Trail Association, Tidioute, Pennsylvania, June 18, 2009Teresa Clewley and Family: I want to thank you for your message in regards to my son.
I am sorry for you and your family having to go through these times, also having a loved one missing, but we are blessed to have MIBSAR and Mike's dedication in our family and in all searches he does. I pray for your family and for all families of missing loved ones and for Mike when he is in the UP.
Be strong and have hope, faith and you have all my prayers always.
—Betty Henagan, Hartford, Michigan, Mother of Derrick Henagan, June 22, 2009
Notice: This Web site is no longer being maintained; for the latest information on the search for Joe Clewley, visit his new Web site.
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Submissions, comments,
suggestions, or corrections
These Web pages are a work in progress. Your submissions, comments, suggestions, or corrections regarding the content of these pages are welcomed and encouraged.
Please e-mail them to Michael Neiger (LandNavMan) of Marquette, Michigan at mneiger@hotmail.com.
Thank you.
In God's wilderness lies
the hope of the world,
the great, fresh, unblighted, unredeemed wilderness.
—John Muir (1838-1914), Alaska Wilderness, 1890
If
you've been able to read this Web page...
thank a Teacher;
If you've been able to read this Web page in English...
thank a Veteran.
—Author
unknown
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