Valentin Elmo Romero

Valentin (Val) Elmo Romero, 87 of Lawrence, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014.

He was born on February 14, 1927 in Lawrence to Severiana (Ramirez) and Juan Romero. Val graduated from Liberty Memorial High School, Lawrence, in 1945. He attended the University of Kansas briefly prior to being drafted. He was a United States Army Veteran of WWII. He served in the European Theater while in the Army. Following his military service Val worked at the Motor Inn-Skelly filling station until 1962. In 1962 he went to work for the US Postal Service until his retirement in 1992. On April 7th, 2011 he went on an Honor Flight with other WWII Veterans to tour and view the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. He was active in his retirement in NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees), Knights of Columbus, and various other community organizations. He served as an Eucharistic minister, volunteered at the St. John’s Mexican Fiesta every year and was active in the church. He loved to travel and visit historical sites, fish, garden, and spend time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, Joseph, an older sister, Gladys Lira and an older brother, Ramon Enrique Romero, Sr. He married Elizabeth (Liz) Dela Cruz on November 9th, 1957 in Osawatomie, KS. He is survived by Liz and their four children, Cecilia Godwin (Andrew), Leawood, KS; and Christopher Romero (Jeanne), Rueben Romero and Sarah Tunget, all of Lawrence. Val and Liz were blessed with nine grandchildren, Dustin Koehler (Jess), Winfield, IL; and Kristy Allen (Steven), Michaela Gerstenecker (Garret), Nicholas Romero, and Raymond Hall, all of Lawrence; Justen Romero and Joseph Romero, Topeka, KS; Della Romero, Lawrence; and Eryn Godwin, Leawood, KS and three great-grandchildren.

The family will greet friends and family on Friday, December 12th, from 6 to 8 p.m. with a Parish Rosary that will be recited at 7:00 p.m. at Warren McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13th at St. John the Evangilist Catholic Church, Lawrence. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery following the funeral services.

The family suggests memorial contributions may be made in his name to Visiting Nurses Hospice, 200 Maine, Suite C; Lawrence, KS 66044.

16 Condolences

  1. George and Cheryl Hunsinger on December 4, 2014 at 7:43 am

    Sarah, I was saddened to read in the paper this morning of your dads passing. I did not know him well, but he always was a pleasant man to visit with at church. God bless you and your family. xoxoxoxo



  2. Phyllis, Cassie, Carter Stone on December 4, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Sarah and family:

    Was so saddened to hear of your fathers death. He was always a bright light on Sunday mornings. You are all in our prayers through this time.
    Phyllis, Cassie and Cassie Stone



  3. vicki Goff-Miller on December 4, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Romero Family,
    I am deeply sorry for your loss, He was a beautiful man with a heart of gold that left a wonderful legacy. Love and bless you all
    Vicki Goff-Miller & Family



  4. Bruce and Pattie Armbrister Johnston on December 4, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    What a lovely gentleman. He will be missed for so many reasons. Tony, please know that you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.



  5. John and Linda Surritte on December 5, 2014 at 10:47 am

    Romero family,

    Linda and greatly enjoyed our friendship with Val since coming to Lawrence in 2002. He was a good friend and we will miss him very much. Please accept our sincere condolences.

    John and Linda Surritte



  6. Theresa A Gauna on December 6, 2014 at 1:49 am

    May Our Lord be with you all in your time of sorrow. Your Father was a very nice man, He always had a smile on his face. When he was younger he wuld work a long other at Church. Now it is time to go join other in the heaven, to set the tsble fr all that will enter , at the end f there life. Tony Theresa. Cheryl and Joann



  7. Becky (Kendrick) Spence on December 7, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Cecilia, was so sorry to read of your dad’s passing. It’s been a long time since I have seen him but he will be greatly missed.
    You and your family are in my prayers. Love and blessings to you all.



  8. Jeannie Russell on December 8, 2014 at 11:20 am

    Sorry about your loss! Praying for the Family. He was a nice person to know. May Gods Blessings be on you and yours!



  9. robyn herzog on December 8, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    Garret Michaela soo sorry to hea about your grandpa.
    Robyn your sister



  10. Joyce vines on December 8, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    So sorry for your loss! He was a treasure to work with at the Post Office!! Thoughts and prayers for your family. Joyce



  11. Dorian Witte on December 10, 2014 at 8:37 am

    My thoughts and prayers are with you. I really enjoyed getting to know Val in the Knights of Columbus and St. John’s Parish. He always had a smile and made me smile.

    Dorian, Cheryl, Ben, Sam and Eli Witte



  12. Doug and Cindi Carter on December 10, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    Chris and Jeanne,

    We were sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God grant you the peace that passes understanding.



  13. David and Debbie Evans on December 10, 2014 at 10:15 pm

    Chris, Jeanne and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.



  14. Harvey Family on December 11, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    Deepest sympathy to the family of Valentin Romero. From the Harvey, Byers, and Green families.



  15. Cindy and Gotfred from Eastside community garden on December 11, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    Enjoyed visiting with Val when he was tending his lot on Penn. st. Will alway think of him fondly when his big old pear tree blooms in the spring…



  16. Steve Ramirez on December 15, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    Val was a very kind man, always smiling. He seemed happiest when he was with his family and that was as often as he could arrange is my guess. I saw the family eating breakfast many times at Hy-Vee, you could see his pride about his family. He will be missed. I have every confidence his family will carry on his legacy of being friendly to everyone they meet as he did.



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