Valentin Elmo Romero

Valentin (Val) Elmo Romero, 87 of Lawrence, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, December 2 ^nd , 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 7 ^th , 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 9 ^th , 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 12 ^th , 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 13 ^th 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.