Melvin Keith Saunders, 81, of 1113 Acacia Ave., Clifton Forge, Virginia, died Saturday, October 5, 2013, at Carrington Place in Daleville.

He was born in Ansted, West Virginia, on July 17, 1932, a son of the late Rev. J. Guy Saunders and Nida Elizabeth Cooke Saunders.

He was a retired Senior Project Engineer, with 44 years of service to Westvaco Corporation of Covington.

He received a structural engineering technology certificate, served in the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps and served two years with the Fleet Marines in the Korean War.

Keith loved woodworking, especially making dollhouses, along with fishing, gardening and artist painting.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Marie Cantrell Saunders, in May of 2008, a son, Jim Saunders and a sister, Dorothy Graham.

He is survived by a son, Mike Saunders and wife, Conley, of Daleville; daughter-in-law, Paula Saunders, of Dallas, Texas; sister, Mary Smith and husband, Curley, of Covington; brothers, Rev. John Edward Saunders and wife, Beverly, of Mooresville, N.C. and Joseph Saunders, of Ocean City, Md.; five grandchildren, Melissa Saunders, Matthew Saunders, Lexie Saunders, McKinley Saunders and Jesse Saunders; special friends, Gene and Rosalie Bartley, of Covington; a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted Thursday morning at 11 a.m. from the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge, with the Rev. Bill Hartsfield officiating. Interment of remains will be made in the Central Advent Christian Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society, Alleghany Highlands Division, c/o Karen Buzzard, 807 McCormick Boulevard, Clifton Forge, Va. 24422.

To send a condolence to the family online please visit ww.nicelyfuneralhome.com.