Fort Worth — TX, Deanna Kay Olson, 60, passed peacefully in her Fort Worth home on Saturday, December 7th, 2024. She was born on September 16th, 1964 in Childress, Texas. Deanna is survived by her husband, Eric Lee Olson, her son, Carver Lee Olson, her two cats (Bongo and Punkin’) and her beloved dog, Prince. She has been a light in many friends and relatives lives and will be lovingly remembered. Deanna committed her entire career to the healthcare industry, with 35 years of experience as a nurse. She had a passion for helping people, and worked at many blood drives with Carter Bloodcare and with the elderly in nursing homes across DFW. She was an incredible mother, wife, cook and the biggest Yankee fan a woman born and raised in Texas could be. A celebration of Deanna’s life will be held in her hometown of Childress, Texas at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, Standing up to POTS.

Express Funeral Funding Promotes Andy Buckman to President and Deanna Wilkinson to Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

Jeffersonville, IN – Express Funeral Funding (EFF), the nation’s largest privately held, FASTEST and EASIEST at-need insurance assignment funding company is pleased to announce the promotion of Andy Buckman to president and Deanna Wilkinson to vice president of sales and marketing.

Joining EFF in 2013, Buckman brought a wealth of experience from the finance sector, specializing in healthcare cost containment services for several Fortune 500 companies and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Rubel School of Business at Bellarmine University. He brings a comprehensive understanding of EFF to this new role, having gained valuable experience across all departments during his 11-year tenure.

“Andy has been pivotal in the growth and success of EFF,” said Kevin Tkacz, CEO and president of The Messenger Company. “With a proven track record of leadership and a deep understanding of the company’s vision, he is well-positioned to lead the organization into its next phase of growth.”  

As president, Buckman will work closely with the executive team to ensure the continued success of EFF and will drive forward initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction, product development and market expansion.

“I am honored to take on this new role and lead such an exceptional team,” said Andy Buckman, president of EFF. “Together, we will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible and deliver outstanding value to our clients and stakeholders. I am deeply committed to furthering our mission and driving continued success for the company.”

With this transition, Deanna Wilkinson will assume Buckman’s previous role as vice president of sales and marketing.

Wilkinson brings a decade of extensive experience and understanding of the field to this role, having started her funeral service career in 2015 with one of the nation’s largest casket suppliers. Since her start at EFF in 2017, Wilkinson has been instrumental in developing and executing strategic sales and marketing initiatives designed to drive growth and enhance brand visibility among funeral and cemetery professionals nationwide.

“With the support of our shareholders, I am confident under these leadership changes, EFF will continue to thrive and maintain its position as the leader in insurance assignment funding,” said Kevin Tkacz.

Express Funeral Funding, a Messenger Family Company, has been providing funeral homes and cemeteries nationwide the ultimate funding experience since 2002. EFF eliminates the challenges of working with insurance companies by limiting administration, providing immediate payment, and advancing complete policy funds. For more information on Express Funeral Funding, please visit www.expressfuneralfunding.com, email contact@expff.com or call 812.949.9011.