Joseph Clewley's Home Page

To post a note on this message board for
the Clewley Family, friends, investigators, or SAR team members,
e-mail it to mneiger@hotmail.com
or mail it to:
Michael Neiger
Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue (MiBSAR)
313 Jonathan Carver Road
Marquette, Michigan, 49855.

Mike, it is nice to hear that he [Joe Clewley] has not been forgotten, thank you for all of your efforts.
—Russel Clewley, Bay City, Michigan, son of Joe Clewley, Sr., June 20, 2012

I appreciate your time and effort you have exerted to find my Dad. I hope one day a clue arises and we will have an idea of what happened to him. Have a happy holiday and I wish you well on your adventures in the upcoming year...
Thankfully,
—Teresa M. Clewley, Three Rivers, Michigan, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., December 8, 2010

I see you have some upcoming searches planned....
Be safe and God bless you Mike!
—Jamie (Clewley) Anderson, Opelika, Alabama, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., April 23, 2010

Happy New Year Mike, I hope all is well with you and your loved ones. Say hello to your fellow MiBSAR companions. I hope this is a blessed year and your cases are solved one by one until all three prominent cases are closed....
God bless, and thank you again for all your hours of dedicated searching and investigation preparation you have done in effort to find JRC.
Forever grateful.
—Teresa M. Clewley, Three Rivers, Michigan, daughter of Joe Clewley, Sr., January 29, 2010

Hello. I was in the UP on vacation over the weekend with my boyfriend.
   Our travels took us from Mackinaw City up to Whitefish Point. I saw some of those missing person posters and it sent chills down my spine.
   My heart goes out to all the families. I wish I could help in some way.
   God bless you for your good work and efforts.
—Cynthia L. Bevelhymer, St. Joseph, Michigan, October 6, 2009

Teresa 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

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, 2009

Mike, 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, 2009

Thanks 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

Just 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, 2009

Mike [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, 2008

Thank 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, 2008

You guys are amazing.....nothing stops you. Thank you!!
—OutDoorsMan, upstate New York, nephew of Joe, Sr., Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, December 11, 2008

Thank 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, 2008

I 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, 2008

I 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, 2008

Thanks 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, 2008

Take 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, 2008

The 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, 2008

I 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, 2008

Thank 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, 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, 2008

Special 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, 2008

Special 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, 2008

It 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

I 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, 2008

Thank 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, 2008

Please 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, 2008

I 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, 2008

Thanks for the update and all the hard work you guys are doing.
—OutDoorsMan, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, September 13, 2008

Hey 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, 2008

Special 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, 2008

Thank 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, 2008

Thank 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, 2008

Thanks 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, 2008

I 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, 2008

I 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, 2008

I 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, 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, 2008

Thank 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, 2008

We 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, 2008

Thank 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, 2008

I'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

Kudos 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, 2008

Thanks 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, 2008

I 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, 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, 2008

Good 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, 2008

Firstly, 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, 2008

Just 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, 2008

I 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, 2008

I 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

I'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, 2008

I 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, 2008

Thank 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, 2008

Best 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, 2008

The 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, 2008

Best of luck to all searchers. Michael, excellent job coordinating the effort.
—JustMeAgain (Alan Wenker), White Bear Township, Minnesota, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, July 31, 2008

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, 2008

Thanks for your efforts to assist in finding either Joe or what happened.
—JohnHens, Backpacker.Com Midwest Forum, July 28, 2008