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49 °F 5 Day Forecast Saturday, November 29, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend November 1, 2003 Yreka youth minister, author dies in crash A youth ministry leader, speaker and writer who lived in Yreka died early Thursday of injuries from a car crash. Michael C. Yaconelli, 61, was driving a 2003 Ford Ranger pickup south on Interstate 5 just north of the Klamath River about 8 p.m. Wednesday night when it left the right side of the highway, hit a light post and careened back onto the road, a California Highway Patrol report said. Yaconelli was wearing a seatbelt, but sustained major injuries, the report said. An ambulance took him to Fairchild Medical Center in Yreka, then he was airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Redding. He was alone in the truck and no other vehicles were involved in the accident, police said. Yaconelli was a founder of Youth Specialties, a San Diego company that serves youth ministries. He was also the editor of a Christian satire magazine called "The Door," and his most recent book was titled "Messy Spirituality." Advertisement Don Hildebrand, longtime director of Campus Life youth ministry in Medford and currently director of pastoral service at Rogue Valley Manor, had known Yaconelli for years. "Mike was very motivational," Hildebrand said. "What made him so inspiring was he was so real. He was very honest in his struggle with his own faith. He made you think." Yaconelli regularly spoke at Rogue Valley baccalaureates and graduations as well as at service clubs such as Rotary, Hildebrand said. He was helping his father move from Grants Pass to Yreka when the accident happened, Hildebrand said. Survivors include his wife Karla, his father, two sons, three daughters and four grandchildren. A memorial is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday at the Yreka High School gym. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times