Jon E. Vachow

Jon E. Vachow, 81, of Cornelius, North Carolina passed away on February 15, 2024. 

Jon was born in Cheboygan, Michigan on January 29, 1943 to the late Leo and Jean Seward Vachow. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by brothers James Vachow (Danielle) and Kevin Vachow. 

Jon grew up in Mackinaw City, Michigan. He continued to have a passion for the place he grew up and spent a significant amount of time working on a “Memories of Mackinaw” book making sure that all of the history of the small town he grew up in was passed onto future generations.  

He worked at Ford Motor Company for 34 years in project engineering and ending as Administrator in Vehicle Operations Body Engineering. Jon was an active member of the Plymouth Jaycees ultimately earning the project of the year award from the US National Jaycees for the single most outstanding project in personal growth. After retirement, Jon also volunteered at the LKN (Lake Norman Christian Mission).  He was an avid researcher and resource for finding a solution to any problem or an answer to any question. He mastered documenting anything and everything on a giant whiteboard and endless expo markers.  

Oh, and we will never forget his corny jokes and dry sense of humor and those gosh darn nose flutes. He always found a way to lighten up any situation. Jon enjoyed playing cards with friends, organizing road rallies for various communities, and spending time with family. Above all, Jon was a great man with a passion for his family, learning, teaching, and documenting Mackinaw’s history so that the history will never be forgotten. His family will miss him dearly.

Jon is survived by his loving wife, Jacki Vachow; children, Jeff Vachow (Mindy), Nicole Rehfuss (Stuart), Renee Vachow (J DuShane), Robyn Mallari (Jeff), and Rebecca Vachow-Smith (Brian); and his sister, Jo Kendall. He was also a proud Papa to his twenty grandchildren.  

 A visitation will be held at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home in Huntersville, North Carolina on Sunday, February 18, 2024 between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. A Celebration of Life service will be held on a later date in Plymouth, Michigan.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the local hospice provider, VIA Health Partners P.O. Box 740408 Charlotte, NC 28247 or www.donatehospice.org. The Hospice workers were so very special and helpful in this process for our family. 

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.KepnerFH.com