WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Arla Faye Franchi, age 83, (nee Sarley), of Park Ridge, Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, October 9th, 2022. Arla was born in Kansas to parents John and Fausta Sarley. Arla moved to Three Rivers when she was two years old with her parents and brother, John Sarley. Joining her two aunts’ families who had just recently moved from Kansas. The three families settled down in houses that were only mere blocks away from one another in Three Rivers. Arla Faye began to practice her life passion, dance, at the age of six. Her family supported her endeavor from the start by driving her to Kalamazoo for lessons several times a week. She was able to dance all over the area which led her to study dance, and graduate from Butler University. She then proceeded to teach dance and fencing at Circle Campus, Navy Pier which would become to be known as the University of Illinois at Chicago where she helped establish their dance department.
Arla married Anthony Franchi, but many of us knew him as Tony, in June 1967. He preceded her in death after 50 years of marriage. A couple of years later they welcomed their two loving daughters, Alisha and Adena, in the early 1970’s. Arla also substitute taught at the local schools and became a kindergarten teacher in the 1980’s. Finally, fulling her dream of having her own dance studio, in the fall of 1993 she took over ownership of Northshore Dance in Skokie, IL with Alisha. She was always an avid animal lover with dogs, cats, and even hamsters. Her last two cats, Mia and Maddie, were her comforts to the end.
She became a Grandma in 2002 to three within a week – twin grandsons John and Michael followed by granddaughter Caitlyn. Julianna came along in 2005 and Amber joined the family in 2018.
Arla is survived by her daughters Alisha Potter (Chuck), Adena Franchi-Conroy (James), Grandchildren, John, Michael, Caitlyn, Julianna, Amber, cousins Rebecca & Bill Wolgast of Three Rivers and John Brackett of Scotts, many more loving nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives along with many beloved dance and theater families.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2022 from 1:00 to 2:00 at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Marty Culver officiating. She will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
