TOIVOLA - Jenny "Jingo" (Viitala) Vachon, 91, of Toivola, died Friday, June 19, 2009.

She was born in Toivola on May 29, 1918, the youngest of 15 children to Erik and Elina (Makinen) Wiitala and attended the Misery Bay School.

On Dec. 23, 1939, she married the one and only love of her life, Stanley Vachon, in Hancock. The couple resided for a period of time in St. Ignace and New Mexico.

Jingo was a devoted wife. She was an accomplished author, musician, artist and local historian.

Surviving are seven children, Erik (Audrey) Vachon of Baraga, Clara (Dave) Braden of Marquette, John Vachon of Amarillo, Texas, Phillip Vachon of Brighton, Mich., Pamela (Peter) Nault of Ishpeming, Victor (Debi) Vachon of St. Petersburg, Fla., Helmi (Chris) Courtade of Traverse City, Mich.; 19 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jingo was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stanley, on Dec. 3, 1993; a son, Stanley, Jr., in July of 1954; 14 brothers and sisters, John, Erik, Otto, Harold, Wilho, Waino, Lauri, Eino, Kathrin, Anna Hauswirth, Susanna Leppanen, Ida Laurila, Miriam Lindgren, Helmi Taavola; and the greatest dog who ever lived, her St. Bernard, Captain Cosmo.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at the Mountain View Mortuary in South Range with Pastor Jay Weidner to officiate.

Visitation will be from 11 to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Toivola Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.