Funeral services for Melvin Larry Aven, 72 of Plainview will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday December 31, 2011 at First United Methodist Church in Hart with Rev. Don Robertson of College Heights Baptist Church in Plainview officiating. Burial will follow at Hart Cemetery under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Mr. Aven died on Wednesday December 28, 2011 in Plainview. He was born on February 28, 1939 in Plainview to Clodell Williams and M.L. (Buster) Aven. He married Kathy Aven on November 17, 1986 in Hart. He graduated in 1957 from Hart High School. He farmed in Hart for a number of years. From 1972 until his retirement, Aven was a commodities broker that included positions for NFO and Farmers Grain and Livestock where he served as Southern Regional manager. He also was a mason having served as Past Master of Plainviw Lodge. Survivors include his wife Kathy Aven of Plainview; three sons, Brett Aven and wife Sandra of Plainview, Matt Aven of Lubbock, Dustin Aven and wife Shanon of Phoenix, AZ; two daughters, Retha and husband Jim Hunnicutt of Midland, Jeton and husband Maurry of Plainview; two stepsons, Monty Pearson and wife Stacey of Albuquerque, NM, Glenn Pearson and wife Brandi of Howell, MI; grandchildren, Brandon Aven and wife Angela of Lubbock, Brittany Aven, Chance Aven, Beaux Bennett, Lexie Bennett, Audrey Pearson, Avery Pearson, Paige Pearson, Seth Pearson, and Zach Phillps; One great-grandchild, Jaxon Aven of Lubbock. He was preceded in death by both parents, two brothers, Dudley and Jerry Lynn Aven; one sister, Patricia Ann Aven and wife LaVonne Porter Aven. Online condolences can be made to bartleycares@gmail.com.