Arlene L. Ehrich

ARLENE L. EHRICH (WELK) 

Age 87, recent resident of Dade City FL, former longtime resident of Safety Harbor FL and Crete IL, passed away Sunday, January 12th, 2025 at her home in Dade City FL. 

Arlene is survived by her loving family, children, Dawn (Dave) Pelkey, Ross (Roberta) Ehrich, Brad (Roland Beauchemin) Ehrich, Brian (Kyle) Ehrich, Mary Prinkey, former daughter-in-law, Amy (fiancé Dan Rusnak) Ehrich, sister, Myrna Benzing, 19 grandchildren, Heather (Jenny) Byrd, Vicki (Dana) Shuster, Amber (Bobby) Mullins, Aaron (Elyse) Szala, Kate Hughes, Matt (Chelsea) Ehrich, Becky (Josh) Cole, John (Susan Hamm) Ehrich, Joe (Megan) Ehrich, Alyssa (Krystian) Wojdyla, Courtney (Kyle) Ruggles, Chloe Ehrich, PJ (Amber) Bowman, Ethan (Sara) Bowman, Teddy (Chelsea) Bowman, Billy (Kayla) Griffin, Morgan Griffin, Benjamin Griffin, 23 great grandchildren, Keaton Grow, Hannah Grow, Journey Shuster, CJ Molina, Rylee Mullins, Cassidy Szala, Kinsley Szala, Beatrice Hughes, Alice Hughes, Jacob Ehrich, Evelyn Ehrich, Avery Ehrich, Georgiana Cole, Kayden Ehrich, Adam Ehrich, Kit Wojdyla, Olivia Bowman, Sophia Bowman, Archer Bowman, Lincoln Bowman, Willow Bowman, Ravenah Bowman, TJ Bowman, many nieces, nephews, special cousin, Bonnie Jonas and dear friends, Lula Martlink, JoAnn Tucker, Barb Libby and Pat Budney. 

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Benn E. Ehrich Jr., parents, Nisle & Beatrice Welk (Gibson), grandson Andrew Ehrich and her beloved brother in-law Marvin Benzing.

Arlene was born and raised in Chicago Heights, IL and a 1955 graduate of Bloom High School. She loved God and was a devoted Christian woman with strong Catholic faith and values. Family was the most important thing in her life and she loved them unconditionally. She enjoyed spending time with her large family; which went hand in hand with her love to travel as well. Arlene not only had a big heart for her family but a big front door; as she always welcomed people into her home, she never met a stranger and spent the bulk of her working years as a home healthcare aide; a career she greatly enjoyed.

Funeral service, Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 at 1:30 PM at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, 2405 Phillippe Parkway, Safety Harbor, FL 34695.

Interment is pending at this time at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Gulfside Hospice, 2061 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 www.gulfside.org would be appreciated.