SnowmobilingNews.com » edith bonno death

Longtime South Lyon supporter Karen Schwarck killed in snowmobile accident

SnowmobilingNews.com — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:40:43 +0000

Longtime resident with strong ties to the South Lyon community, Karen Schwarck was killed Sunday night in a snowmobile accident on Mackinack Island.

Mackinack-area media reports state Schwarck, 59, was on a snowmobile photo excursion with her sister, Edith Bonno, 57 of Canton when it is believed their snowmobiles fell off the island’s rugged West Bluff road.

According to reports, the women were found dead at the scene west of the Grand Hotel.

A search was conducted for hours before the women were found. Karen’s husband, Donald, notified police when the women did not arrive home.

Donald Schwarck, is a former South Lyon city councilman and former South Lyon Community Schools teacher and track coach.

More than two years ago, the couple retired to Mackinack Island, becoming residents of the northern Michigan community.

Local women die in Mackinac Island snowmobile accident

SnowmobilingNews.com — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:46:21 +0000

Mackinac Island — A Canton Township woman and her sister, a former Lyon Township resident, both were killed Sunday night when the snowmobile they were riding on apparently fell off one of the island’s rugged bluff roads, police said.

Karen Schwarck, 59, of Trillium Heights on Mackinac Island and her sister Edith Bonno, 57, of Canton Township were both pronounced dead at the scene, according to Mackinac Island Police Corp. Andy Dziobak.

“It’s very sad,” said Dziobak. “The victims had been out on a photography excursion Sunday but when they didn’t return by 10:15 (p.m.) last night, Schwarck’s husband reported them missing and a search was organized.”

The bodies of the woman were found about four hours later at the bottom of a steep hill off West Bluff Drive, Dziobak said. The area is west of the Grand Hotel.

Searchers included police, Allied EMS and the Mackinac Island Fire Department, he said. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident, police said.

Schwarck’s husband, Donald, is a former South Lyon city councilman and former high school teacher.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete, according to a police press release.

There have been at least 15 snowmobile deaths reported across Michigan since December 11, 2009, according to state police.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100208/METRO/2080382/1409/rss36#ixzz0ez1ffHid

2 Women Killed in Mackinac County Snowmobile Accident

SnowmobilingNews.com — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:17:49 +0000

Mackinac Island Police say two women died when the snowmobile they were riding fell off the West Bluff.

Karen Schwark, from Mackinac Island and her sister Edith Bonno from Canton went missing last night.

Schwark’s husband called police when the women did not come back from going out and shooting photos.

They were found early this morning at the bottom of a steep hill on West Bluff Drive.

Northern Michigan’s News Leader has a crew on Mackinac Island working to bring you a full report on the deadly accident.