Dennis Frederick Pellinen

MARQUETTE — A snowmobiler who was reported missing Monday was found dead at the scene of a snowmobile accident near Rock in Delta County, according to the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities found Dennis Frederick Pellinen, 54, of Ishpeming around 5 p.m. Wednesday at the scene of the accident on North Rock Road after searching since Monday evening.

While it was originally thought that Pellinen had left his secondary residence in McFarland on a snowmobile around 6 p.m. Sunday, authorities said they determined he was actually last seen in Rock around 1 a.m. Sunday, according to a press release from the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office.

Pellinen did not show up for work Monday and was then reported missing around 4:40 p.m. Monday by family members who lived across the street from his McFarland residence, police said.

On Tuesday, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Marquette County Search and Rescue, Michigan State Police and several local residents continued the search for Pellinen in the McFarland area near County Road 444, officials said.

“Many local trails and roads were searched with snowmobiles, officers on foot, as well as several local volunteers and volunteers from the fire department in McFarland,” a press release from the sheriff’s office states.

Officials said they requested a helicopter from the Michigan State Police to aid in the search, but the helicopter was unable to make the trip to assist in the search due to poor weather conditions in the Lower Peninsula. However, a Valley Med helicopter assisted in the search but was unable to locate the missing man.

On Wednesday, a helicopter from the Michigan State Police did arrive at K.I. Sawyer around 4 p.m., but it was “grounded due to bad weather after it had landed to refuel,” police said.

The sheriff’s office was assisted in the search by the state police, Marquette County Search and Rescue members, as well as Pellinen’s family, friends and neighbors.

“The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all the people and agencies that assisted in the search and would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Pellinen,” a press release from the sheriff’s office states.

Officials could not be reached for comment before press time on the cause of the accident or when it occurred.