Former longtime Cherry County Sheriff Mel Christensen passed away December 5th in Valentine at age 73. Christensen was appointed Sheriff in 1979 until 1983. He was again elected to the position in 1987 which he held until 2011. Funeral service is scheduled for Friday December 8th at 11am at the Presbyterian Church in Valentine. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine.

Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine is in charge of service arrangements for Mel Christensen.