Remembering Those We've Lost

In Memoriam: Dean Monkelien

Christopher's Family and Friends,

It is with our deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our friend and inspiring mentor, Dean Monkelien, on January 26, 2022. Dean was the proud owner of Christopher's Fine Foods, which served the Deale/Churchton community for over 15 years.

No words can adequately express our sadness of Dean's death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will miss his sense of humor and laugh, his love for the community, and his abounding sense of pride for the store he worked so hard to build.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Melissa, Dean's loving wife, and his four children, Kelly, Curtis, Jason, and Michael and their families. They will honor his memory through their continued dedication to the community and the integrity of Christopher's Fine Foods, that he so loved.

Full obituary information is available at https://KalasFuneralHomes.com/obituaries/Dean-Monkelien-8490.

In lieu of flowers, donaton can be made to St. James Parish Food Pantry or St. Jude's research hospital.

In Memoriam: Dick Christopher

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of another longtime employee and friend of our Christopher's family, Dick Christopher. Dick passed away Monday August 30, 2021. He led the staff of Deale IGA, Food Rite, and Christopher's Fine Foods for many years. He will be missed by all those who knew him.

A memorial service was held at the Framptom Funeral Home in Federalsburg, MD on Thursday, September 9, 2021. Full obituary and service information available here

We send our heartfelt condolences to Dick's wife Jackie, son Matt, and the entire Christopher family.

Most sincerely,

Christopher’s management and staff.

In Memoriam: Larry Atwood

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of a longtime employee and friend of our Christopher's family, Larry Atwood. Larry passed away Monday March 15, 2021 at Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion, Va. Larry was a large part of Deale IGA, Food Rite, and Christopher's Fine Foods for many years. He will be sorely missed.

Larry's obituary, viewing, and funeral information may be found at Seaver Brown Funeral Services.

In Larry's memory, and at the request of his wife Barbara, we raised money to benefit 1st Responders in the Sugar Grove, VA area. Larry retired to that area and was very involved with the community having served on the Rye Valley Community Council. Through the generosity of our employees and customers, we've collected a total of $849. This will be sent in Larry's honor to the first responders in the Sugar Grove, VA area. We can't thank you all enough for your gifts, and we know that Larry would be very touched.

So on behalf of Christopher’s management, staff, Barbara, and the entire Atwood family, we thank you for your donation.

In Memoriam: Karen Senior

It is with deep sadness that we announce Karen Senior, of Deale, MD passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on August 24, 2022. She was employed at Christopher's Fine Foods for more than 35 years where she was the front end manager for most of her time here. She truly cared for those she worked with.

Family was most important to her. She enjoyed getting together whether it was to go camping, to the beach or simply sitting down to a bushel of crabs. But the one thing that brought her the most joy was watching her only grandson Billy “Pooh” grow into the amazing young man he is today.

We send our heartfelt condolences to her husband Merle, daughters Rhonda and Tina, and her many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other loving family members.

Most sincerely,

Christopher's Fine Foods management and staff.