Dennis Robert Valentine

Dennis Robert Valentine, 80, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on November 9, 2025. He was born on December 11, 1944, in Washtenaw County, Saline, Michigan to Arthur Samuel Valentine and Katheryn Roberta Shaw Valentine.

Dennis graduated from Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1963 and married Anne Marie Stefina on November 23, 1963. Together they shared a loving marriage and raised a family grounded in devotion and faith.

He began his career working for W. T. Grant as an Assistant Manager for The Skillet Restaurant in Gault Village, MI. His career and life journey later took him and his family through Indiana before eventually settling in the Kansas City area, where he spent the majority of his life.

A man deeply rooted in his faith, Dennis was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus and shared his beautiful singing voice in the choir at St. James Catholic Church in Liberty, Missouri. His warm, gentle personality touched everyone he met. It became a familiar tradition for friends, family, and even strangers to walk away from a conversation with Dennis holding a Werther’s Original, offered freely from his ever-stocked pockets.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Anne, who passed away in 2020; his parents Arthur & Katheryn Valentine; and his brother, Donald Valentine.

Dennis is survived by his children: Tony (Kat) Valentine of Lee’s Summit, MO; Chris Valentine of Kansas City, MO; Eric Valentine of Independence, MO; and Becky (Steve) Fishel of North Kansas City, MO. He was a proud grandfather to Noah, Andrew, and Alexis Fishel; Jaden and Landon Valentine; Cheyenne Valentine; and Kynan Valentine; and a loving great-grandfather to Roman Fishel and newborn great-granddaughter Emaline Fishel.

He also leaves behind his longtime friend and companion, Debra (Debbie) Ludwig of Liberty, MO; his brothers Richard (Jean) Valentine of Lakeland, FL, and Ronnie (Connie) Valentine of Hutto, TX; his sister Janet Valentine of Willis, Michigan; and many extended family members and friends who will forever cherish his memory. Dennis will be remembered for his kindness, his faith, his humor, his music, and the simple joy he found in making others smile. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished and the countless lives he brightened.

A series of services will be held at St. James Catholic Church, located at 309 Stewart Rd, Liberty, MO 64068. The visitation is scheduled for November 18, 2025, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am, followed by the eulogy at 10:30 am. The Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 11:00 am.

The committal service will take place at Resurrection Cemetery, 5001 NE Cookingham Dr, Kansas City, MO 64156, at 12:15 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Landing, 1189 W. Kansas St., Liberty, MO 64068, starting at 1:00 pm.