Family of missing Lapeer County man asks people to check their property, deer blinds

LAPEER COUNTY, MI — It has been a week since 79-year-old Joseph Mindelli went missing and his family is urging people in Dryden Township and surrounding areas to continue to check their properties for signs of their loved one.

Search efforts out of the Dryden Wesleyan Church paused Monday, July 26, the Dryden Fire Department announced in a Facebook post.

“Both agencies need a day to let their employees and volunteers rest and regroup,” the post states. “The fire department will be getting trucks back into order and stations back up and running today. We will be available for any and all emergencies that continue to come through our township.”

The search for Mindelli is not over, the fire department stated, asking people to continue to monitor its Facebook page for future search efforts.

Joe Mindelli, Joseph’s son, said the entire town of Dryden has been searched in the last week.

“We’re just at a loss right now,” he told MLive-The Flint Journal on Monday.

Joseph Mindelli, 79, was reported missing to the Lapeer County Central Dispatch just before 2 p.m. Monday, July 19 after family members visited his home in the 5200 block of Casey Road earlier in the day and he wasn’t there, according to the Dryden Township Police Department.

Joe Mindelli said the search parties may resume through the week as the family continues to work with law enforcement to find his father.

For now, community members in Dryden Township, Alma, Imlay City, Metamora and other surrounding areas can aid in the effort by continuing to check their properties, dear blinds and surveillance cameras, Joe Mindelli said.

“If hunters have their cameras out, check them — surveillance cameras on houses,” he said. “Whatever we can do to get the word out to landowners and homeowners to keep searching on their properties.”

The family is “holding up for now,” said Joe Mindelli, adding they are just at a loss currently on what to do next.

A large-scale search for Joseph Mindelli stretched throughout last week, with his son leading the charge alongside other family, friends, police, fire officials and countless volunteers.

After Joseph Mindelli was reported missing Monday, officers searched his 10-acre property but there was no sign of him.

Lapeer County Central Dispatch activated alerts to neighboring residents who were urged to search their properties and outbuildings.

ATVs and K9 resources from area departments were utilized, along with helicopters equipped with thermal imaging technology from the Oakland County Sheriffs Office, police said.

The United States Coast Guard, Michigan State Police aerial team and private crafts also helped in the search.

An Endangered Missing Advisory issued July 21 by the Michigan State Police states Joseph Mindelli did not take a wallet or cell phone when he left his home.

He is in the beginning stages of dementia and suffers from depression and anxiety, the advisory states.

It is not clear what Joseph Mindelli was wearing when he left home, but he usually takes walks in tan cargo pants and knee high “muck” boots. He stands 5-foot-8 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

Agencies that have aided in the search include the Dryden Township Fire Department, Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office, Metamora Township Police Department and Almont Police Department.

Anyone who has information on Mindelli’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.

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