Michael Gene & Ann Lucile Francis-Oliver

A joint Memorial service for Michael Gene & Ann Lucile Francis-Oliver, Lawrence, will be 1 pm, Saturday, September 30, 2017, at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Michael Gene Oliver was born August 4th 1954, in Hutchinson, Ks. to Walter Oliver and Reba Naomi Oliver (Watt). Michael grew up in El Dorado, Ks where he attended elementary school up until high school where he attended El Dorado Circle High school and graduated in 1972. Michael excelled on the wrestling team, and at karate where he became a competitive black belt martial artist, and even went all the way to New York City for tournaments! He had a very wicked spinning heel kick, and could kick high over the head of a 6′ man! Michael loved old muscle cars, and in the 70s designed, and built 2 cars with his brother Mark, the Challenger and the Chevelle. Michael was the 1st person ever to put blowers on the outside of street machines, and was featured in different carcrafting magazines. Michael worked at Iowa Beef while he attended college at Emporia State University to get his degree in histo chemistry. While attending University he went to a party one fateful night, and met the love of his life. They hit it off that 1st night that they had met, fate intervened, and Annie became his tutor in the chemistry department at the University. It wasn’t too long after that they fell in love, and got married, and Michael happily became the father to 2 beautiful children that were Annie’s from the previous marriage. In his eyes these children were his own blood children. Tiffanie and David. A couple years after they were married they had a child together, Rachel Oliver. In 1987 Michael began work as a histo chemist at the VA hospital in Kansas City Missouri, and the family lived in Lawrence, Ks. A few years later he began his own business, and was quite successful in Amway, And took many interesting trips around the United States with his family, friends, and business associates. After he had finished with the Amway business he started working for UPS in Lenexa, Ks and KUMed in Kansas City, Ks. After 20 years he retired from UPS.  Michael loved to take vacations to Florida and often would take his family with him where they would enjoy the beach, water, and family time together! Michael also loved being a prankster and would often prank Annie’s father with different gags over the years! Michael’s dream was to build his dream car, a 23 model t Ford named “Mystique” or “MS.T” As he would sometimes call her. His spare time was spent working on this dream and trying to finish her. Michael unexpectedly passed away at his home August 29th 2017 from a sudden heart attack. His wife Annie Francis died 23 days later. Michael is survived by his 3 children Tiffanie Lynne Ceynar, David Michael Francis, and Rachel Irene Oliver-El Abbady. 2 son in laws Brian Ceynar, and Mostafa Samir El Abbady, and 1 daughter-in-law Barbara Francis. His 3 grandchildren Ashlyn Renae McGee, Madison Britany McGee, and Abigail Lynne McGee. 1 younger brother Mark Oliver, and 1 younger sister Michelle Oliver-Lewis. As well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. Michael Gene Oliver will be truly missed by anyone who had ever met him. He really was a genius, and lived by his motto “give me a lever big enough, and I will move the world!”

Ann Lucille Francis was born January 1, 1952 in Perryton, Texas and departed this life September 21, 2017 at the age of 65. Her parents, Henry & Martha Francis moved from Texas to Eureka, Kansas when she was 9 months old and she grew up in that community attending school there until her Senior Year in High School. At that time, she transferred to Kearney High School in Nebraska and graduated in 1970. After graduation, Ann went to Los Angelos. There she met and married Jack Segal, and to this union two children were born. When this marriage dissolved, Ann returned to Kansas and enrolled at Emporia State University where she earned both a B.S. and double Master Degree in Bio-Chemistry. On October 25th, 1981 she was wed to Michael Oliver, a daughter was born to this union. At this time they lived in Lawrence, Kansas where she was employed at Kansas University as ITTC for the Bio-Chemistry Department on Campus. For many years, she also taught private piano lessons in the Lawrence area. Ann, herself was an accomplished pianist, and in her teenage years won many piano competitions. But her greatest joy was to play for Worship Services and she shared this talent with many churches for several years. Ann was baptized in the 1st United Methodist Church in Eureka and later confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Eureka. Her faith made her a compassionate woman who always had time to listen and offer understanding to those around her. Her loving nature, beautiful smile, and infectious laugh will be greatly missed. Her Husband, Mike, preceded her in death on August 29th, 2017. Also preceding her was her nephew, Philip. She leaves to mourn her death, her parents, her children, Tiffanie Ceynar (Brian) of El Dorado, Kansas, David Francis (Barbara) of Peteluma, California, Rachel El-Abbady (Mostafa) of Lawrence, Kansas, her grand-children, Ashlyn, Madison, and Abigail McGee of El Dorado, Kansas, Tadyn Eastman of Topeka, Kansas, two brothers, Stephen Francis (Sue) of El Dorado, Kansas and Stewart Francis of Ponca City, Oklahoma, a sister in law Michelle Oliver-Lewis (Kenton) of Topeka, Kansas, a brother in law Mark Oliver (Susan) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, a special aunt, Anita Haesemeyer (Wayne) of Billings, Montana, a favorite uncle David Francis (Berta) of Lincoln, Nebraska and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A memorial service will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home in Lawrence, Kansas at 1:00 on Saturday, September 30th with Don Cunningham, pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Tonganoxie, Kansas officiating.