MONTEREY — Funeral services for Melvin Ray Book Sr., 83, will be at 10 a.m. today at Monterey First Baptist Church with the Rev. John Rushing officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home.

Book is the son of John Author and Emma Book.

Book was a member and Deacon of Monterey First Baptist Church and a U.S. Army Korean War Veteran. He loved to fish and hunt with his family and friends, and members of Gravel Ridge Hunting Club.

Book was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and a sister.

Survivors include wife, Stella Book; daughter, Melonie Middleton and husband, Terry, of Vivian, La.,; sons Melvin Ray Book Jr., and wife Rebecca of Lake Village, Ark., and Michael Joe Book and wife, Kim, of Monroe; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother and three sisters.

Pallbearers are Sammy Middleton, Jamie Middleton, Jon Michael Book, Terry Middleton, George Book, Brandon Wiley and Bruce Wiley.

Honorary pallbearers are Deacons of Monterey First Baptist Church and members of Gravel Ridge Hunting Club.

Condolences can be made at youngsfuneralhome.com.