Two snowmobilers who were reported missing in Sheridan Township, Michigan, were found submerged beneath roughly six feet of ice on Round Lake on Dec. 14 and identified the next day as Daniel Meyers, 65, and Jason Aemmer, 49. A drone located a hole in the ice and a helmet several hundred yards offshore; rescuers were unable to reach the site on foot due to unstable ice. Dive teams from Mason County and the Michigan State Police, with support from Manistee County, recovered the bodies. Meyers was a longtime Director of Music at Muskegon Community College and is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Two Snowmobilers Found Dead Beneath Ice on Round Lake; Longtime Music Director Identified
Muskegon Community CollegeDaniel Meyers
Two men who went missing while snowmobiling in Sheridan Township, Michigan, were recovered beneath roughly six feet of ice on Round Lake after an overnight search, authorities said.
Search, Discovery and Recovery
The Mason County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) confirmed that the bodies recovered on Sunday, Dec. 14, were identified on Monday, Dec. 15, as 65-year-old Daniel Meyers and 49-year-old Jason Aemmer. Both men and their snowmobiles were located under about six feet of ice the morning of Dec. 14.
Officials said they were first notified at about 12:30 a.m. that two snowmobilers were missing. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office began searching trails in Lake County and, around 4:30 a.m., expanded the search into eastern Mason County.
“Due to darkness and heavy snow falling a check of the lake from shore could not be performed,” MCSO said. At first light, rescuers observed what appeared to be a snowmobile helmet several hundred yards offshore on the ice.
Mason County Sheriff's OfficeRound Lake, Mich. on Dec. 14, 2025
Responders deployed a drone over Round Lake and discovered a hole in the ice that corroborated the helmet sighting. Rescuers attempted to reach the site on foot but repeatedly fell through unstable ice, making immediate rescue efforts impossible, MCSO said.
The recovery involved the MCSO dive team, the Michigan State Police (MSP) Dive Services Team and assistance from the Manistee County Sheriff’s Office. Those teams located and recovered the two victims from beneath the ice.
Community Impact
Meyers had served for 15 years as Director of Music at Muskegon Community College, where he led the MCC Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Jayhawk Sound Pep Band. "We are heartbroken over the profound loss of our Director of Music and friend, Dan Meyers," MCC President Dr. John Semon said in a statement. "We extend our deepest sympathy to his family. Dan's enthusiasm for life, music, and the students he taught had a tremendous impact on the MCC community. He will be missed by all."
Local reporting indicates Meyers is survived by his wife, Melissa, and the couple's three daughters. Authorities have not released additional details about the cause of the incident; the investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing.
