Herbert Dean Kiger, 88, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Friday, February 27, 2026 in St. Joseph.
Dean was born March 6, 1937 in Rushville, MO, son of the late Opal Griffith Kiger Easter and Elvice Kiger. Dean graduated from DeKalb High School. He worked for Wonder Bakery for 7 years, then continued his career with 39 years of dedicated service with the City of St. Joseph Public Works and Transportation Department. Dean was greatly honored that the City of St. Joseph dedicated the Leftin-Kiger Building in his name in Mary 2022, some nineteen years after his retirement. Dean possessed an excellent work ethic, and led by being a tough but fair leader and mentor within the workforce and within his family. In his leisure time, he enjoyed working outdoors and fishing.
Dean was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Irene Lucile Kiger; his parents; his stepfather, Miles Easter; his brothers, Norman "Vic" Kiger and James "Jim" Kiger; his sisters, Leona Mae "Sissy" Huntsman and Juanita Kiger; stepsisters, JoAnn Crockett, Patty Keith, Beverly "Toot" Lois Ardery; and sister of his heart, Sharry Dunning.
Survivors include: his children, James Dean (Lynette) Kiger of Akron, IA, Diana (Donald) Bower of St. Joseph, MO, Van Alan (Jenny) Kiger of Faucett, MO, Kimberly Renee (Jared) Freemyer of Ravenwood, MO; his grandchildren Jason Kiger, Kirsten Viktoria Simon, Christopher Bower, Steven Bower, Johnathan Kiger, Brandon Kiger, Joel Kiger, Nicole Nelson, Katrina Cool, and Andrew Freemyer; 16 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; sister-in-law, Diane Alyce Kiger; brother-in-law, Wayne Pease; numerous beloved nieces and nephews; and multiple informally adopted children of his heart.
The family will receive friends at Rupp Funeral Home Thursday, March 5, between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Dean's funeral services and live stream will be at Rupp Funeral Home, Friday, March 6, at 3:00 pm. Family requests that memorials be directed to DeKalb Christian Church or a local charity of your choosing.
