Michael Matthew Francis

On July 16, 2026, the world lost its most beloved curmudgeon and most disgruntled Phillies fan. Michael Matthew Francis, of Fishers, Indiana, passed away at St. Vincent Hospital after a courageous nine-month battle with brain cancer. Though the journey often felt long, difficult, and unfair, it now seems heartbreakingly brief. Brain cancer may have claimed Mike’s life, but it never took his wit, his humor, or the love he had for his family and friends. He was only 46 years young.

Born to Kent and Paula (Burt) Francis, Michael was the oldest of three children. He grew up in Carmel, Indiana, where he shared a close bond with his younger siblings, Sean and Lauren. As big brothers go, Lauren and Sean could not have asked for a better one. Kent and Paula would describe Mike as an old soul - quiet, a rule-follower, and kindhearted. As teenagers, Mike was known around the house for his quick wit and humor, often directed at his siblings. But you could never stay mad at him for long - he was just too funny, especially when he perfected the mimicry of Kent’s famous chocolate chip cookie dance. His humor was unmatched, delivered with perfect timing and an instinct for knowing exactly when to push and when to pull back. Mike had an easygoing personality that drew people to him. He was genuinely liked by everyone who knew him, making friends effortlessly and leaving a lasting impression with his warmth, kindness, and ability to make people laugh.

As a child, Mike developed a love for comic books, and video games, especially strategy games, and his favorite, NHLPA, which sparked a passion for hockey that would become an important part of his life. In high school, Mike found his place on the ice as the goalie for the Hamilton Southeastern hockey team. His athleticism, determination, and love for the game made him an exceptional goalie, so much so, Mike was instrumental in helping HSE win its first state championship hockey title.

One of Mike’s greatest blessings (his words, not hers) began in February 1996, when he met the love of his life, Jennifer, in their tenth-grade English class. It didn’t take long for the two to realize they had found their soulmate in each other. Their love story continued at Indiana University, where they both enrolled in the fall of 1998. Although life briefly led them down separate paths, they found their way back to one another after graduation, proving that they were always meant to be.

On July 22, 2006, Mike and Jen exchanged vows and began the adventure of married life. Soon after, they moved to Philadelphia, where Mike fulfilled his dream of earning his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine. As graduation approached, Mike applied to the psychiatry residency program at Indiana University School of Medicine, hoping to bring them back home. While they loved the energy and excitement of Philadelphia, their hearts were set on returning to Fishers-a place where they could build a life together, raise their future children, and be surrounded by the love and support of their parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews.

And so, they ventured back to their old stomping grounds where Mike completed his psychiatry residency at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) and had the honor of serving as Chief Resident his final year. Upon graduation from residency, Mike quickly transitioned to the role of an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at IUSM and psychiatrist at the Prevention and Recovery Center for Early Psychosis (PARC) at Eskenazi Health, where he dedicated his career to caring for adolescents and young adults with psychosis, combining exceptional clinical expertise with warmth and approachability.

A passionate investigator, Mike conducted research through the IU Psychotic Disorders Program, exploring innovative treatments for schizophrenia, including neuroimaging, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and anti-inflammatory therapies. He authored dozens of peer-reviewed publications that advanced the field and improved understanding of serious mental illness.

As Director of the IU Psychiatry Residency Program, Mike helped shape the careers of countless psychiatrists whose medical careers impact patients across the country. His excellence as an educator was recognized with Indiana University's Trustee Teaching Award in 2017 and 2019. He also served the broader mental health community through leadership roles with the Indiana Psychiatric Society, as Indiana's representative to the American Psychiatric Association Assembly, as President of the Council, and through his volunteer work with NAMI Indiana, advocating for individuals and families affected by mental illness.

In the later years of his career, Mike joined Eli Lilly & Company, where he served as an Executive Director in Global Patient Safety. There, his expertise and dedication to patient safety helped safeguard patients around the globe.

Over a distinguished career in medicine, Michael M. “Mike” Francis, MD touched countless lives as a clinician, educator, researcher, mentor, and leader. Known for his compassion, humility, and quick wit, he brought comfort, hope, and laughter to patients and colleagues.

Despite being one of the area’s most accomplished psychiatrists, you never would have known it from the way Mike carried himself. He was remarkably humble, endlessly self-deprecating, and far more comfortable celebrating the accomplishments of others than his own.

If you asked Mike about his greatest achievement, he never would have pointed to his career in medicine. Instead, without hesitation, he would have told you it was his two boys, Will and Charlie-the second great loves of his life. Even in his final days, Mike would say that his greatest gifts were his sons. He had always dreamed of being a dad, and he embraced that role with his whole heart every single day.

There was never any doubt how deeply he loved his family or how incredibly proud he was of Will and Charlie. He especially loved that they enthusiastically embraced his lifelong passion for the Philadelphia Phillies, willingly enduring more Phillies games than most people would attend in a lifetime and fully buying into Mike’s legendary “hater agenda” right alongside him. Nothing brought him greater joy than sharing the game-and plenty of good-natured complaints-with his boys.

Mike is survived by his Phillies-loving wife of nearly 20 years, Jen Francis; his two equally enthusiastic sons, Will and Charlie Francis; his parents, Kent and Paula Francis; his brother, Sean (Donna) Francis; his sister, Lauren (Jim) Ou; his cherished nieces and nephews, Maddie, Abbie, Marleigh, Gannon, Emmy, and Griffin; and his mother-in-law, Diane Kleinfelter. He also leaves behind countless aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and a remarkable circle of lifelong friends-from high school to college, medical training, and beyond. The friendships Mike cultivated throughout every chapter of his life were among his greatest treasures, and those fortunate enough to call him a friend were forever changed by his kindness, loyalty, and unmistakable sense of humor.

Michael was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Bob and Helen Francis and Charlie and Patty Burt, as well as his cherished sister-in-law, Kelly Francis.

The Francis family extends its deepest gratitude to every physician, nurse, and caregiver at St. Vincent Hospital who walked alongside Mike throughout his illness, especially those who cared for him so compassionately in his final days. They are equally grateful to the countless family members and friends whose unwavering prayers, steadfast support, meals, messages, visits, and love carried them through the most difficult season of their lives.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mike’s life on Saturday, August 1, 2026 with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Randall & Roberts Fishers Mortuary, 12010 Allisonville Road in Fishers, followed immediately by a funeral service. A procession will follow the service to Highland Cemetery in east Fishers for his burial. The celebration of Mike’s life will continue with a reception following the burial, with details to be shared at the service.

In honor of Mike, guests are encouraged to wear Philadelphia Phillies gear-whether a hat, jersey, T-shirt, or anything in between. If Phillies apparel isn’t available, please consider wearing red and white, the colors of the Phillies’ home uniforms. Mike wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

In lieu of flowers (a request Mike would wholeheartedly support, knowing exactly how his wife feels about them), memorial contributions may be made to NAMI Indiana, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. This organization was especially meaningful to Mike, whose life’s work was devoted to caring for those living with mental illness and supporting the people who loved them.

https://doityourway.nami.org/campaigns/InMemoryofMMF

Our hearts are broken in ways words cannot fully express, but we take comfort in knowing that Mike’s unconditional love for his family and friends, his quiet wisdom, generous spirit, humility, unwavering faith, and extraordinary gift for making others laugh will continue to live on in everyone blessed enough to have known him. His quick wit, self-deprecating humor, perfectly timed sarcasm, and lifelong devotion to the Philadelphia Phillies-a team he loved fiercely and criticized relentlessly-will never be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Michael Matthew Francis.

You were, and always will be, so profoundly and deeply loved.

Condolences: www.randallroberts.com