Janet B. Johnson

Janet B. Johnson, 90, of the Town of Salisbury, New York, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, March 19, 2026 in the Town of Little Falls, New York. At the time of her passing, she had the love and comfort of her family by her side.

She was born on January 26, 1936 in Dolgeville, New York and was the daughter of the late, Carlton and Flora (Burdick) Belcher. Janet was educated at Stratford Central School and graduated with the Class of 1953. In later years, she attended Herkimer County Community College and graduated with the Class of 1991 with an Associate’s of Applied Science Degree specializing in Occupational Therapy.

On July 4, 1953, Janet was united in marriage to Robert E. Johnson, Sr. at the Universalist Church in Salisbury Center, New York. The couple shared a union of 30 years when he passed away on April 6, 1983.

Janet was of the Christian faith and was a long-time member of the Stratford United Methodist Church. She was also a 60-year member of the Auskerada Maques Rock City Chapter #204, Order of the Eastern Star.

For 33 years, Janet found company and friendship with her companion, Fred Pettengill who was adored by her and her family. Fred passed away on December 22, 2022.

In her spare time, Janet loved making crafts and specialized in baking occasion cakes for her family and friend’s weddings, birthdays, and showers, etc. Her most precious time was spent in the company of her large and loving family whom she adored. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Janet will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Robert E. Johnson, Jr. and his wife, Claudia of Stratford, NY, Randy Johnson, Sr. and his fiancé, Lisa Case of Salisbury, NY, Reid Johnson, Sr. and his companion, Crystal Williams of Salisbury, NY, Roy Johnson and his wife, Julie of Newport, NY and Janine (Johnson) Manley and her husband, Shea of Little Falls, Ny; grandchildren, Robert E. Johnson, III and his wife, Rachel, Brendt Johnson and his wife, Jess, Samuel Johnson and his companion, Madison Ploss, Randy Johnson, Jr. and his wife, Kaycie, Jessica (Johnson) Barnes and her husband, Jason, Olivia (Johnson) Ryan and her husband, James, Renee Johnson and her fiancé, Luke Simonelli, Reid Johnson, Jr. and his fiancé, Emily Harding, Gehrig Barnes and his companion, Emily Taft, Ryan Barnes, Emilie Monahan, and Aidan Monahan, Corey Manley and his wife, Jess; great-grandchildren, Eliza, Flora, Hunter, Emma, Kyle, Rylie, Ella; Kyrah, Kailynn, and Caleb Stowell and their mother, Nicole Mesick, Nora Manley, Torben Manley, and Atlas Manley; great-great grandchildren, Levi and Haven; a sister, Patricia Bond of Dolgeville, NY and her family, Barry and Janet Vickers, Todd and Liz Vickers, David Vickers, Shawn and Mary Vickers ; bonus children, Larry and Barb Nichols and Crystal and Brian Hicks; many special and loved nieces and nephews including Linda (Burdick) Lamphere, Debbie (Burdick) Prestigiacomo and Elaine (Burdick) Barretta who she affectionately thought of as her little sisters; cousins; and many extended family within the Burdick, Belcher and Johnson families.

Janet was predeceased by her husband, Robert; parents, Carlton and Flora Belcher; her daughter-in-law, Gail Johnson; granddaughters, Tanya Johnson, Cassandra Johnson and Sophia Johnson; grandson, Aaron Johnson; a special cousin, Eddie Belcher; her companion, Fred Pettengill, and numerous other family members who she loved dearly.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at locally owned and family operated, Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York 13329. A funeral service will be held immediately following calling hours at 4 p.m.also at the funeral home with Pastor Chris Wintermute officiating. A spring burial will be held in Curtis Cemetery at a date and time to be announced where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband and family.

The Johnson Family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Bassett Healthcare Center in Cooperstown, NY; Little Falls Hospital, Third Floor-the entire staff; Rich Baylor whom she loved to give a hard time to; the entire PT/OT staff at Little Falls Hospital; Tihana Banks, Cari Baker, Cheryl Pula, Ashley Mead of the Hospice and Palliative Care Team who were wonderful to our Mother and the entire family; Amy Johnston who went above and beyond and was very special to Mom; and to Janine’s work family at Bassett Cardiology that made it possible for her to help take care of her Mother. 

Please consider memorial contributions for the following charities, Hospice and Palliative Care-Oneida, Herkimer and Eastern Madison Counties, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413 or visit https://hospicecareinc.org/donations/, Make-A-Wish America Gift Processing, 1702 East Highland Ave., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or visit wish.org or the Ronald McDonald House New York, 405 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021 or visit https://www.rmh-newyork.org/pages/give/?form=donate  .

To leave a message of sympathy for the Johnson Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for her online memory book.

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