Ivanovic

MENOMINEE COUNTY — The Menominee County Sheriff’s Office is urging the public to be on the lookout for a missing hunter in the Cedar River North State Forest Campground area.

Vladimir Ivanovic, 58, of Chicago, was last seen on Nov. 13 at the Cedar River North State Forest Campground. The campground is located in the Escanaba River State Forest between Escanaba and Menominee, roughly 17 miles northeast of the city of Stephenson and roughly 13 miles north of the unincorporated community of Cedar River in Cedarville Township.

According to Ivanovic’s family, the Illinois man has been deer hunting in the area for over 14 years and has always used the same camping spot. Ivanovic, his brother and another relative arrived at the campground just after 3 p.m. EST on Nov. 13 and after setting up camp, Ivanovic left his tent in a light black thermal jacket, gray thermal pants and croc shoes at around 11 p.m. EST.

The two relatives assumed Ivanovic was making a quick trip to the cooler outside of his tent or his truck parked just feet away. After 15 minutes and no return, Ivanovic’s brother and other relative began searching for him. A family camping close by said they saw Ivanovic walking up the road leading away from the nearby Cedar River, potentially headed to the campground outhouses or campground pay station. The family said all Ivanovic had on him were his wallet, keys and headlamp.

The family says Ivanovic is described by all as the “camp father,” because of his relentless enforcement of safety precautions, making his disappearance unusual.

Ivanovic is described as 5-foot-11, 195 pounds with green eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a black thermal jacket, gray thermal pants, croc shoes, a watch, headlamp and has keys and a wallet. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for any information on his whereabouts.

Menominee County Sheriff Kenny Marks requests that hunters, landowners and residents on the Big Cedar River from County Road 366 down river to the bay of Green Bay be especially observant of a body or clothing in the river or on the shore. Marks said any info and observations will be instrumental in helping find Ivanovic.

To assist the family in search efforts, the public can contact Ivanovic’s daughter, Lily, at 708-595-9308 for details and coordination.

To report tips or information on the disappearance of Ivanovic, call the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office at 906-863-4441. Police people to dial 911 immediately if Ivanovic is spotted.

Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.