A visitation will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the Bosma-Gibson Funeral Home in Prophetstown. His funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Leon United Methodist Church in Prophetstown, IL with Pastor Alan Balang officiating. Interment will be at Leon Cemetery in Prophetstown, IL. Memorials have been established to Prophetstown Park District and Leon United Methodist Church.
Arnie was born June 24, 1938, in Morrison, IL, the son of Richard Arnold and Henrietta (Hook) Bielema, Sr. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County Grade Schools and graduated from Erie High School in 1956. On July 1, 1960, he married Marilyn L. Morse in Erie, IL. They shared their lives for over 62 years before her passing on November 17, 2022. Arnie was in sales his whole working career, he began selling insurance, then was a sporting goods salesman for Sportsland Athletic Equipment. He then moved back to the rural Prophetstown area and took over as the owner and operator of Arnie’s Ag Center outside of Hooppole, where he operated a feed center serving the needs of local livestock owners. He also operated an 80-acre hog farm in Prophetstown from the early 1970s until 1990. Later, Arnie went on to work for the local Geneseo Co-op, where he remained until retiring at age 70. He was a member of Leon United Methodist Church in Prophetstown, IL. In his free time, Arnie enjoyed spending time on the golf course and unwinding at home watching television.
Survivors include one daughter, Brandi (Shannon) Cooper of Lyndon, IL; three sons, Bart (Kris) Bielema of Lyndon, IL, Barry Bielema of Morrison, IL, and Bret (Jen) Bielema of Champaign, IL; nine grandchildren, Christian (Diego) Casas, Garrett Cooper, Schuyler Bielema, Hanna Bielema, Griffen Bielema, Brook Bielema, Lauren Bielema, Bella Bielema, and Brexli Bielema; one sister, Mary Lou (Gary) Huitink of Arkansas; two brothers, Vernon (Joyce Augustus) Bielema of Prophetstown, IL and John (Jeanette) Bielema of Hooppole, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marilyn; one daughter, Betsy Lynn Bielema; two sisters, Ruth Ellen Bielema in infancy and Rena Newman; one brother, Richard “Rich” Arnold Bielema, Jr.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Arnold “Arnie,” please visit the floral store.
Condolences can be shared at bosmarenkes.com.
