Obituaries for Nov. 3, 2010

While living at Fall City, he and his two youngest brothers invented a sport they called tree riding, family members said. The boys would take a small tree, bend it over and climb on it while one of the other two would release the rope and launch them over a clearing toward their house. They tried to hit the bedroom window on the second floor, but hit the side of the house instead. 
About the time they lived in Brookings, Mike had the chickenpox and mumps at the same time. While he was sick with both he would go outside in just his undershorts and slide down a mud slide on the hill. His mother would go out and get him, clean him up and put him back in bed and then he would do it all over again.
His parents moved to John Day where he went to school until the 11th grade. He met his wife of 42 years for the first time when he was in the second grade. At recess one day he and one of his friends were tossing a football back and forth when the ball went a little farther and hit her square in the eyes, family members said.
After he left school, he started driving truck until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. The second time he met Norma Guilliams was after he returned home from Vietnam.
After a short courtship, the two were married on Aug. 17, 1968, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pendleton. They had three children. During the 42 years they were together, they traveled the Pacific Northwest. They finally settled at New Plymouth, Idaho, where they raised their children.
After their two oldest children graduated from high school, they moved back to Baker City where they have resided for the last 20 years.
In that 42 years, Mike did many things and worked many jobs. He was a truck driver, mechanic, welder, fabricator, heavy equipment operator and scrap dealer. He also furthered his education by getting his certification as a heavy equipment operator and certification for refrigerant recovery and recycling.
Out of their 42 years together, Mike and Norma only spent three years where it was only the two of them.
“He seemed a bit rough around the edges, but in reality he was a kind man,” family members said.
Regardless of their own personal financial status, the Upmeyers would always help people out who were in need of it. Mike had accomplished many things in his life, but his greatest accomplishments were teaching three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren his same values and morals, his family said. He also helped raise his four youngest grandchildren for the last six years.
Mike had many hobbies, including building model trucks from scratch. He also built many flowerbeds and trailers from scrap metal. Mike was baptized and joined the Catholic Church just three days before his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; three brothers; his mother-in-law and father-in-law; a brother-in-law; sister-in-law; son-in-law; and his longtime trucking partners, Tubby and Batman (his little dogs that went everywhere with him).
Survivors include his wife, Norma of Baker City; three children, Mary A. Kenworthy of Payette, Idaho, Michael D. Upmeyer Jr. of Baker City and Maxell Justin Upmeyer of Colorado; six grandchildren, Dennis L. Kenworthy of Payette, Amanda R. Kenworthy and her husband, Ryan, of Payette, Jace M. Upmeyer of Three Forks, Mont., and Areona R. Upmeyer, John M. Upmeyer and Acey R. Upmeyer, all of Baker City; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, Jack, Phillip and Robin; sister-in-law, Verona Tucker Upmeyer and her husband, Jack Goodall; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Veterans Administration Hospice, Disabled American Veterans or a charity of one’s choice through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.

Dean Jones, 86, of Baker City, died Oct. 30, 2010, at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise.
Visitations will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St. Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St. Pastor Dan Martin from McEwen Bible Fellowship will officiate.
Dean was born on Sept. 8, 1924, at North Star, Idaho, to Clark and Alice Baldock Allen. She married Gilbert Jones in Winnemucca, Nev., in 1950. Dean was a homemaker and raised three fine children with Gilbert: Keith, Alan and Nancy. She loved her family and would spend time with them whenever she could.
Dean was a granddaughter of the pioneering families of Charles and Minerva Baldock and great-granddaughter of William Baldock, who settled in Baker Valley in 1864. She was also a descendent of the Campbells who came to Baker the same year.
Dean attended school at Portland. She was in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II.
She liked to crochet blankets and give them to her children and grandchildren. Dean liked to camp and fish and she loved her flower gardens.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clark and Alice Allen; a brother; and two sisters.
Survivors include her husband, Gilbert, of Baker City; sons, Keith, and his wife, Suzan, of Bridgeport,  and Alan and his wife, Ethel, of Baker City; daughter, Nancy, and her husband, Paul, of Baker City; sister, Cleo, and her husband, Walt, of Midvale, Idaho; lifelong friends, Roy and MableLee Conley, of Baker City; grandchildren, Kerry McQuisten, Kasey Phelan, Tonya Pierce, Amber Bailey, Tobbie Jones, Celia Jones, Simon Jones, Michelle Jones, Ryan Allen and Curtis Williams; and 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice through Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.