11/06/2025
Dale Edward Monk, 102 years old, of Charleston, WV passed away at the Hubbard Hospice House on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. He was born in Sissonville, West Virginia on June 26, 1923 to the late Everette J. Monk and the late Willie Jackson Monk, being the youngest of seven children.
He was preceded in death by his four brothers: Arnold, Basil, Vernon, and Kermit Monk; and his two sisters, Edith Pickens and Emma Hall; son, Rodger Dale Monk; daughter, Linda Kay Monk; and grandson; Frederick “Bart” Monk.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sally, the love of his life; son, Frederick Lee Monk (Lynne) of Charleston, WV; daughter, Barbara (Kevin) of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Ashley Hill of Farmville, NC, Chris Monk and Courtney Monk of Charleston, WV; and great-granddaughters, Addyson Monk and Layla Monk of Charleston, WV; several nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Sherry McPhail, Nancy Killen, and Phyllis Desjarlas.
He attended Emma Bell School, a one-room school in Sissonville for his early education. He graduated from Sissonville High School in 1941, where he played center on the football team under Coach Joe Sawyer. He was an avid West Virginia University football and basketball fan, and in his gold and blue van, travelled many miles with Sally and Bart over much of the country attending games whenever possible to do so.
Dale was a proud American, serving his country in the United States Army in World War II and again in the Korean War, a member of the 101st Signal Battalion. As a Technical Sergeant in charge of cryptographic work, he coded and decoded messages from the War Department to the Commanders on the battlefield and the Admiral of the Navy. He participated in the invasion of Leyte, also serving in
Okinawa. In 1945, his battalion went to Korea to accept the surrender of the Japanese that ended World War II.
After the war ended, he returned home to begin his 55-year career as a residential building contractor and made the “Monk Built” logo a symbol of quality and excellent workmanship. He received numerous awards, and was honored many times as “Builder of the Year.” After retirement, he received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” and “The Veteran Builders Award” by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Charleston. He built many beautiful homes during his time on this earth, but the one he occupies now, made by the hands of God, is his most precious and beautiful.
He was a devoted Christian, husband, father, and grandfather. He fascinated everyone with his story telling about his life growing up and the things he had witnessed in his 102 years of living. He had a heart of gold, and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was a member for many years of the South Charleston Christian Church, where he served as a Deacon, and later at the United Disciples of Christ Church. Because of his many medical challenges in his later life, he was unable to attend Church, which was a big disappointment for him.
He has now seen the face of God and heard those words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
A service to Honor the Life of Dale will be held at 12:00 Noon, Monday, November 10, 2025, at Snodgrass Funeral Home, South Charleston, with the Rev. Steven Smith and the Rev. Rosetta Smith presiding. Burial will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans, with military honors. Friends may visit at the funeral home one hour prior to the service, beginning at 11:00 am.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to the staff at the Hubbard Hospice House and Amada Senior Care for the wonderful care Dale received while in their care, and to his sister-in-law, Phyllis Desjarlais, RN, for years of devoted care and assistance in managing his dementia care.
Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.snodgrassfuneral.com and selecting the obituary. Arrangements are in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home.
