MASON COUNTY, MI — The tight-knit community of Grand Haven is reeling from the sudden and tragic loss of two of its residents, Daniel Meyers, 65, and Jason Aemmer, 49, who tragically died after their snowmobiles broke through the ice on Round Lake in Mason County on Sunday, December 14, 2025.
The tragedy began as a missing persons report around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, when family members reported they could not reach the two men, who were believed to be snowmobiling on trails in neighboring Lake County. Initially, search teams focused on Lake County, but the search area expanded into eastern Mason County around 4:30 a.m. when a crucial clue was discovered. A searcher located snowmobile tracks on Sugar Grove Road that led directly onto the ice of Round Lake in Sheridan Township. Disturbingly, no tracks were found leaving the lake, which signaled that something had gone terribly wrong.
A Grueling Search and Recovery Effort
Due to heavy snow and the darkness of the early morning hours, a multi-agency team including the Mason and Lake County Sheriff’s Offices, Michigan State Police, and local fire departments had to suspend the search on the lake surface until daylight. The teams faced extreme conditions as they resumed the search Sunday morning.
The breakthrough came when rescuers spotted a snowmobile helmet several hundred yards offshore. Using a drone, authorities confirmed a hole in the ice near the helmet, which suggested that both men had fallen through. The recovery operation was fraught with danger due to the unstable and thin ice. Multiple rescue attempts were hindered as responders themselves fell through the ice, forcing them to take extra precautions.
To navigate these treacherous conditions, an airboat from the Manistee County Sheriff’s Office was deployed, and dive teams from the Michigan State Police and Mason County Sheriff’s Office were called in. The operation became even more perilous when one State Police diver fell through the ice but was quickly rescued thanks to the tethered safety system in place.
Ultimately, after hours of painstaking work, both men were recovered from approximately six feet of icy water, and their submerged snowmobiles were located nearby.
Remembering Daniel Meyers and Jason Aemmer
The impact of the loss has been deeply felt by the community, as Daniel Meyers was a well-known and respected figure in the local academic and arts communities. Meyers, who had served as a music professor at West Shore Community College and was currently the chairman of arts and humanities at Muskegon Community College, had been a beloved educator for over 15 years. His contributions to the arts and his mentorship of students left a lasting legacy in the community.
Jason Aemmer, though less publicly known, was remembered by family and friends for his kind heart, strong work ethic, and the joy he brought to those around him. As the loss of both men reverberates across the area, tributes have poured in from colleagues, students, and friends, who describe them as men of integrity, passion, and dedication.
The tragic accident also highlights the inherent dangers associated with early-season ice and snowmobiling. Authorities have stated that the investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing, and they have once again urged caution when venturing onto ice-covered bodies of water, especially in the unpredictable early winter months.
Daniel Meyers and Jason Aemmer leave behind not only a community in mourning but a legacy of love, dedication, and a shared commitment to the pursuits that brought them joy. As the families begin to process their grief, the community continues to support them, offering condolences and remembering the impact these two men had on the lives they touched.