Kenneth Francis

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Kenneth Henry Francis, 72, of Advance passed away Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 8, 1941, in Grassy, Mo., son of Henry Coy and Beulah E. Smith Francis. He married Harlena Henson on Aug. 28, 1960.

Kenneth was a former mayor of Advance, owned and operated Ken's Gas and Henson's Grocery Store in Advance. He was a cattle breeder, served on Cross Trails Medical Center Board of Directors, and was a member, song leader and officiant of Scopus Church of Christ.

Survivors include his wife, Harlena of Advance; a daughter, Connie (Stewart) Downs of Maryland Heights, Mo.; two brothers, Gale (Marlene) Francis of Glenallen, Mo., and Kelly (Wanda) Francis of Marble Hill, Mo.; and a sister, Becky Douglas of Pevely, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty Boyer.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until service time Saturday at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Kelly and Rick Francis officiating. Burial will be in Grassy Cemetery.