FReeper Bartholomew Roberts, son-in-law of Mary Ellen, posted this comment on the original thread:
It appears that they got lost and went down a country lane that ended as a logging road on an abandoned farm. They got stuck and apparently waited there for help which didn’t come to them.
Ada was found 600 yards from the car and my mother in law was found at the car. The family was told that they were under tree cover which made searching by air impossible. The area was private property which was not searched on the ground. They were found by a local deer hunter.
I remembered this story from this Spring. I didn't realize that one of these women was related to you. Please accept my sincerest condolences.