UPDATE: Body of Ontonagon kayaker missing since July recovered

WAKEFIELD, Mich. (WLUC) - UPDATE: The body of an Ontonagon man, missing since last July when his kayak was discovered in Ontonagon Township, has been recovered.

Dale Venema, 74, was last seen kayaking on July 14, 2023. What was believed to be his upside down kayak was found floating on Lake Superior. A search for Venema lasted several days, but he was never found.

The MSP said Sunday, however, a man’s body was located on Lake Superior in Ontonagon Township. The Ontonagon County Medical Examiner confirmed Tuesday that the body recovered was Venema.

The Michigan State Police would like to thank the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department, the Ontonagon County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ontonagon County Medical Examiner’s Office, Negaunee Regional Communication Center, United States Coast Guard, US Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan State Police Marine Services Unit, Bruce’s Legacy Search and Recovery (Wisconsin), the Ontonagon Harbor Master and the Village of Ontonagon employees for their efforts in the search for Venema.

The MSP said it would also like to thank the residents and visitors of Ontonagon who provided information that helped lead to the recovery and said the agency’s condolences and prayers remain with the family.

Last published: Jul 18, 2023 3:54:59 PM

UPDATE: The search for a missing kayaker in Ontonagon Township continued Tuesday.

An upside-down kayak was found on Lake Superior in Ontonagon Township Friday afternoon. The missing kayaker is believed to be 74-year-old Dale Albert Venema from Ontonagon.

According to the Michigan State Police, multiple agencies are still looking for the missing man.

TV6 and FOX UP will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

Last published: Jul 17, 2023 6:27:55 PM

A search for a missing man continued Monday after an upside-down kayak was found on Lake Superior in Ontonagon Township Friday afternoon.

At approximately 2:15 p.m. ET Friday, Negaunee Regional Dispatch received a call reporting the kayak was overturned near the Firesteel River area.

Investigators say a resident observed a kayaker paddling out toward the lake at approximately 1:00 p.m. and later observed the kayak was unoccupied.

The Coast Guard launched a boat to the area and troopers from the Michigan State Police Wakefield Post were dispatched to the area to start coordinating search efforts.

The missing kayaker is believed to be 74-year-old Dale Albert Venema from Ontonagon.

Agencies assisting with this incident are the Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Dept., Michigan DNR, and the US Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Service. US Coast Guard assets were utilized as well in the search effort. The Ontonagon Harbor Master, employees of the Village of Ontonagon, and several residents have also aided in the search. The Michigan State Police Dive Team was also contacted to assist.

Search efforts continued through the weekend and remain ongoing.