Body of New Franklin man missing since Wednesday found in Turkeyfoot Lake, police say
The body of Joseph Latona, the 90-year-old New Franklin man who walked away from his home Wednesday night and became the subject of an intense three-day search in Portage Lakes State Park, has been found.
The New Franklin Police Department said late Saturday afternoon that Latona had been found in Turkeyfoot Lake.
Police thanked search volunteers and agencies throughout the area for their efforts and said the family is asking for privacy.
The search for Latona began Thursday and had expanded Friday and Saturday to include volunteers and mounted horse units to comb a wide section of Portage Lakes State Park. About three dozen volunteers joined law enforcement and fire personnel from around the county to look for Latona.
'He would not hurt a fly'
One of Latona's sons-in-law, Mike Shape of Canal Fulton, said Friday that Latona left his home without his belongings or a cellphone.
"He left everything at home," Shape said.
Denny Bender of Jackson Township, another son-in-law, said he thought it unusual that Latona would take a long walk in the woods.
"He's just not an outdoors type of person," he said.
He described Latona as a gentle man, always smiling.
"He would not hurt a fly," said Bender.
Just days ago, the family had gathered for Latona's 90th birthday, the two men said.
"I don't know how many more of them I can make," Latona said at the time, Bender said.
Latona worked at the Bridgestone/Firestone computer center in job control for many years, both men said, spending more than 40 years with the company. After retirement, Latona took a job with the Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities.
"He worked there until he was 80," Bender said.
New Franklin Detective Michael Hitchings said Latona left his home about 9 p.m. Wednesday. About a half-hour later, some teens in the park area saw an elderly man matching his description.
Three days of searching
Police were alerted Thursday morning by Latona's family, and a search began with local, county and state agencies taking part.
"We had drones out here that could see infrared," Hitchings said during the search Friday. He estimated 50-70 personnel participated Thursday.
"By the end of the night, we weren't able to find him," Hitchings said.
New Franklin posted a call for help on social media Thursday night, and volunteers began arriving before the 9 a.m. search start time. Also on Friday, the Mounted Unit of the Summit County Sheriff's Office joined the search.
Jennifer Smith, emergency preparedness supervisor for Summit County Public Health, coordinated volunteers, who were given green arm bands to identify them.
Searching on horse for missing man
Summit County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Roger Vaughn, who heads the Mounted Unit, said deputies and trained auxiliaries used tracking software to cover areas not reached by searchers.
Six mounted units were on the scene Friday.
Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Body of New Franklin man missing 3 days found in Turkeyfoot Lake
