Arnold DeLoy Alme, age 89 of Belleville, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, December 26, 2015, at St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. He was born on May 5, 1926, at home near Brooklyn, WI, to his parents, Carl and Helen Pearl (Meloy) Alme.

Arnie graduated from Brooklyn High School in 1944. On February 10, 1945, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Gilbert until her passing in 1977.

Arnie came to life when you put a microphone in front of him. He was a self-taught musician who couldn't read a note of music. If you saw him playing locally, you would often see his children and grandchildren on the dance floor. He had an unmatched ability to entertain people, whether he was telling jokes with that silly smile and a little tilt of his head, or when he sang songs from the bottom of his heart. He was considered the Grandfather of Country Music in the State-line area and was noted for his cowboy yodeling.

Arnie started his construction business with an Allis-Chalmers M Crawler tractor and a breaking plow in 1946, adding more heavy equipment along the way, eventually selling the business to his son, Richard.

His music and his work were passions for him. He was well respected and admired by his family, his friends, and his business associates and will be missed by many.

Arnie is survived by his children, Judy "Pearl" (Joe) Coulter of Janesville, WI, Bonnie "Winkie" (Don) McSherry of Brooklyn, WI, Lucy (Michael) Solberg of Stoughton, WI, Richard (Lynn) Alme of Belleville, WI, and Rita (Richard) Millis of Orfordville, WI; twenty-two grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and a daughter–in-law, Jean Alme of Fountain Hills, AZ. He is further survived by his beloved partner of thirty-seven years, Nancy Christensen of Belleville and her family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn; son, John "Jack"; a grandson, Jeff Alme; and brothers, Vincent and Lyle.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 2, 2016, at the Becker-Beal Funeral Home, 109 Greenway Cross, Belleville, WI, with a private family graveside service at the Rutland Cemetery near Oregon.

Relatives and friends may call from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Friday, January 1, 2016, at the Becker Beal Funeral Home in Belleville.

A memorial fund has been established.

An online memorial with guestbook is available at bealfuneralhomes.com.