Mackinac Island resident Karen Schwarck (left) and her sister, Edith Bonno, died in a snowmobile accident Sunday, February 7, on the Island's West Bluff. A Mackinac Island woman and her sister were killed Sunday evening, February 7, when the snowmobile they were riding broke through a wooden fence and fell off the West Bluff on Mackinac Island.

Karen Schwarck, 59, a resident of the Trillium Heights subdivision on the Island, and her sister, Edith Bonno, 57, of Canton Township, had enjoyed the Mackinac Island Winter Carnival that afternoon and left the house about 4:40 p.m. to take photographs of the sunset.

They were reported missing by Mrs. Schwarck's husband, Donald, at 10:15 p.m. when they failed to return home, and an island-wide search was organized. About 30 people, including police, ambulance personnel, firefighters, and Island residents, spread out and searched for the pair for more than four hours before they were found on the wooded hillside below West Bluff Drive.

Rescuers speculate the snowmobile crashed through a wood fence on the bluff, near the stone posts at Grand Hotel, as the women attempted to turn it around.

They were pronounced dead at the scene and police report that alcohol was not a factor in the accident.

The tragic accident left Islanders stunned.

"After a great weekend of fun and happiness, and they were having such a good time at the Winter Carnival, the tragedy really put dark cloud over the Island," said Mayor Margaret Doud. "They were great ladies. They will be missed by the Island community."

Neighbors Liz and Allen Burt said Karen and Don Schwarck have been like grandparents to their two children, Sean and Katie, remembering them with cards at Easter and Christmas and spending time with them after school

"They just doted on them, the way grandparents dote on grandchildren," said Mrs. Burt.

The little things will be missed the most, she added.

"Sunday, at brunch, Katie sat on Don's lap and Sean sat on Karen's lap and ate lunch at Winter Fest," she recalled. "It's those little moments that will really be missed."

In addition to the sisters' parents, Eric and Irene Rayner of Naples, Florida, Mrs. Schwarck leaves her husband and two sons, Matt of Lake Orion and Paul and his wife, Kelly, of Chicago, and Ms. Bonno leaves a son and daughter, Josh Bonno of Plymouth and Jessica and her husband, Mark, and two grandchildren.

Their brother and family, Eric and Laura Rayner of Brighton, also survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Schwarck moved to Mackinac Island in 2006 and had sold their home at South Lyon this fall.

Mrs. Schwarck was the owner and operator of Escapade Tours and had written a book with a friend, Kathy Crawford, "Two Broads Abroad," about their travels in England.

Visitation for both sisters will be Thursday, February 11, and Friday, February 12, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home, at 122 West Lake Street in South Lyon. A service will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church at 640 South Lafayette in South Lyon.