Melvin "Arlo" Deines

Melvin "Arlo" Deines, 86, of Fort Collins passed away February 4, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. Arlo, the fifth of seven children, was born August 21,1930 to William C. and Elizabeth Deines in the little town of Wellington, Colorado. The family then lived on a farm west of Fort Collins until he was fifteen and then moved into town. That is when Arlo started helping his father build homes and learned the skill of drywalling which led to his very successful career.

Arlo met Betty Jean More from Steamboat Springs, Colorado and they were married February 15, 1951. They had four children, daughter, Arlene Mason (Mike), son, Mike (deceased), son, Mark and daughter, Sandy Moen(Brit). Twelve grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.

Arlo came from a very musical family, he learned to play the piano, accordion and was a master at the dulcimer. Along with his parents, Arlo started their own band known as The Deines Polka Band. They played weekends at the T Bar Inn in Wellington and for weddings and special events.
In 1965 Arlo, along with Charles Lockman, formed D and L Drywall, then D and L Enterprises, enabling them to invest in prime properties for the development of south Fort Collins which led to a very successful partnership through 2000.

Arlo and Betty enjoyed fishing and camping, and after retiring, loved traveling to Arizona where they had a beautiful second home. Fishing was his most relaxing and fulfilling times and he also enjoyed the competition.

Preceding Arlo in death was his wife (bride), Betty and son, Mike.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Pathways Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524. Friends may send condolences to the family at bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.

A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery. A celebration of his life will be held at Noon, February 9, 2017 at the American Legion, George Beech Post 4, 2124 County Road 54G (Corner of Taft Hill and Hwy 14).