Soutar, Sr., Melvin D.Melvin D. Soutar, Sr., age 87, of Big Flats, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, January 10, 2017.Melvin was born on October 27, 1929 in Lafayette, NY, the son of the late David F. and Anna M. (Dickens) Soutar. He married Reva Mae Johnson in 1979 in Elmira, NY. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He was later employed by Shepard Niles, Inc., of Montour Falls. He belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats, Horseheads Moose Lodge, Elmira Heights American Legion and was a 30 year member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He will be remembered for his love of fishing, building and gardening. He enjoyed watching the NY Mets baseball and Syracuse Orange basketball. Melvin was a true family man, raising seven children and helping to raise numerous grandchildren.He is survived by his adoring wife of 37 years, Reva Soutar of Big Flats, NY; sons: Thomas Connor of Dushore, PA, David Soutar of Lockwood, NY; daughters: Jo Ellen Newell of Montour Falls, NY, Babette Kovtun of Bath, NY, Penny Soutar of Woodinville, WA, Mary Lou Corbett of Mt. Morris, NY, Rebecca Belcher of Fredericksburg, VA and Tamara Soutar of Big Flats, NY; grandchildren: Gerald F. Newell, Jr., Kimberly Newell-Johns, Love Kovtun, Kelly Hutton, Melissa Kjelgaard, Kristina and Elizabeth Corbett, Eric and Dylan White, Alex Belcher; great-grandchildren: Kaitlyn Newell, Matthew Hutton and Olivia and Gerald Johns; and great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, Melvin was predeceased by his son, Melvin D. Soutar, Jr.; his first wife, Marjorie Decker Soutar; and son-in-law, Gerald F. Newell, Sr.Family and friends are invited to call on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Big Flats, 95 Main St., Big Flats, NY. A funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 PM, Rev. Beth Frigard officiating. Interment with full military honors will immediately follow at the family plot in Rural Home Cemetery, Big Flats, NY. Carpenter's Funeral Home, 14 E. Pulteney St., Corning has been entrusted with the arrangements.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to: Carpenter's Funeral Home, 14 E. Pulteney St., Corning, NY 14830 to assist the family with funeral expenses. Kind words and memories may be shared at: www.CarpentersFuneralHome.com