WHITEHALL, MI (WHTC) – The Marine Division of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department is assisting in the search for a 65-year-old man in the waters of Lake Michigan north of Muskegon.
Donald Schiele hasn’t been seen since late Wednesday morning when bystanders and fire officials on the shore near the Michillinda Lodge in Fruitland Township saw a man going overboard about 300 yards away from the shore and calling for help. Cold water temperatures kept first responders from initially reaching the man, and Ottawa County deputies were called in, along with those from Muskegon County, troopers from the Michigan State Police and US Coast Guard officers.
An initial search covered roughly 55 nautical square miles and included sonar, watercraft, a helicopter and a dive team.