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.