Van A. Johnson, of Cayuga Street, died on Friday, January 23, 2026 following an extended cancer illness. Van was born in Brooklyn on December 18, 1945, the only son of the late Arthur and Carrie (nee VanRiper) Johnson.
He was a graduate of Romulus High School, Cayuga Community, RIT and later obtained his master's degree from Syracuse University. Van began his career with Goulds Pumps in Engineering, Sales & Marketing for 35 years then worked for various other pump companies for 11 years. As an Army veteran, Van proudly served his country in Vietnam. He married Mary Lou Covert on June 10, 1967, and together they followed Van's career throughout the country, spending many years in California.
Van is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Lou; his daughters, Michele Mello (Jay Goedhart) of Coarsegold, CA, Frances (John) Schulte of Fresno, CA and Jennifer (Angel) Legarretta of Auburn, N.Y.; his grandchildren, Jerry (JD) and Todd Mello, Ryan and Karie Schulte, Anthony Gonzales, Zac and Drew Legarretta; and great grandchildren, Dylan Mello and Olivia Gonzales; a sister, Rita Kreutter of Longs S.C. and her daughter, Lori Whalen. He was preceded in death by his nephew, Chris Kreutter.
The family will receive friends at Covert Funeral Home in Ovid on from 2 p.m. to 4 .p.m on Friday, February 6, 2026. Interment will be held privately at Mount Green Cemetery in Romulus. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Van's memory to Strong Memorial Hospital.
