Valentine Emeka Jideonwo, 50 years old passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026, due to complications from heart surgery. Despite dealing with a chronic health condition diagnosed at 39, Valentine maintained a healthy lifestyle successfully building a life with his wife, college sweetheart, soulmate, and best friend, Arvetta and raising their two young men, Joseph and Jacob. They were married for 22 years and together for 30 years.

Valentine Emeka Jideonwo was born on April 12, 1976, in Lagos, Nigeria to Anthony and Juliet Jideonwo. When he was 4 years old, the family migrated to the United States and landed in Bloomington, Indiana where his parents attended college at Indiana University. He is the oldest of four children from this union. Valentine attended elementary, middle and high school in Bloomington. He accepted Christ at a young age and completed Catholic Communion. In 1994, he graduated from Bloomington North High School and was a varsity athlete, lettering in Varsity Football (Tight End) and Boys Track and Field (Discus).

In Fall 1994, Valentine attended Vincennes University. Transferring to Indiana State University in Fall 1996, he met the person who would be his lifelong love, Arvetta Lynnette Grimes and lifetime best friends, Derrick Burnett and Kevin Cantrell. On December 4, 1999, he joined the lifelong brotherhood of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Zeta Rho Chapter of Indiana State University and gained six brothers, Marvin Acuff, Rodney Suggs, Edgar Pitts, Cedric Tano, Rene Philippe Degni-Segui and Terry Henry.

In 2000, Valentine started to build a successful career in sales and the mobile logistics industry, working at Verizon, AT&T Indiana, and spent five years at Brightpoint North America (Ingram Micro).

On June 6, 2004, Valentine married his college sweetheart, Arvetta at Phillips Temple CME Church under the leadership of Rev. Oliver Dewayne Walker. The couple joined the church and were active in leading the youth ministry and Valentine served on the Steward Board. To this union, the couple had Joseph (21) and Jacob (15).

In 2008, Valentine transitioned into the insurance industry working for Sentry Insurance to start learning and developing in the field. Eventually, Valentine and Arvetta, as partners decided to launch their own insurance brokerage, AMH Group Insurance and Risk Management. Valentine served as Principal and Managing Partner. Over 14 years, he thoughtfully grew the business to serve hundreds of clients and maintain relationships with 30+ national insurance carriers. From a business perspective, Valentine was a charter member of the National African American Insurance Association, Indianapolis Chapter and also held memberships at the Indy Chamber and Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce.

As a strong believer, Valentine was a current congregant of New Horizons Church, Indianapolis under the leadership of Pastor Eric Wiggins along with his family where they have been members for 13 years.

Valentine is survived by his loving wife, Arvetta Lynnette Jideonwo of 22 years and their children, Joseph and Jacob. He is also survived by children, Makeisha Bickley, Donte Dodson, and grandchildren: Xavier, Sophia, Donte Jr., and James. He is also survived by his mother, Juliet Jideonwo; father, Anthony Jideonwo; siblings: Vivian Stangle (Jeremy) of Keithville, Louisiana; Victoria Auman (Matthew) of Temple, Texas; and Victor Jideonwo (Dana) of San Francisco, California; niece, Sophia Auman; nephews: Ezekiel Auman, Benjamin Auman, and Lincoln Stangle. Left to cherish his memory are also a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins across the country and overseas.

Valentine also had a special relationship with his mother-in-law, Artamease Nancy Grimes, and enjoyed spending time with extended family members of the Woods, Grimes, and Ragland families of Evansville, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to Wheeler Mission in Valentine's name.