Dwight Kiefer, 73, of Belle Rive, Illinois, was called home on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 5:20 p.m. at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon, Illinois, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Dwight was born on February 21, 1953, in Mount Vernon, Illinois, to Edwin and Mary (Wilbanks) Kiefer, who preceded him in death.
He was married to Marian (Unfried) Kiefer; though they later separated, she survives.
Dwight attended Belle Rive Grade School and graduated from Mount Vernon High School. He continued his education at Rend Lake College and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. A proud fourth-generation farmer, Dwight spent his life working on his family farm in Belle Rive, raising grain and cattle until his retirement. In addition to farming, he served as an insurance agent with Kiefer Insurance Agency. He was a past president of Jefferson County Mutual and a former member of the Opdyke Belle Rive School Board.
In his younger years, Dwight enjoyed participating in a local tennis league and traveling to competitions. He also coached his children’s Belle Rive summer league baseball team. Later in life, he enjoyed playing ping pong with friends and especially cherished lunch outings at local cafés with his granddaughters, Azlyn and Vaida, as well as Ron Moser, Gary Bruce, and his son Kyle. Dwight was a member of Whittington Church.
He is survived by his sons, Kyle Kiefer and wife Christina of Belle Rive, Illinois, and Kent Kiefer and wife Alice Fan of Glencoe, Illinois; his daughter, Kaela Kennedy and husband Derek of Foster City, California; his granddaughters, Azlyn and Vaida Kiefer of Belle Rive, Illinois, and Helen Fan-Kiefer of Glencoe, Illinois; his sister, Donna ElBayadi of Syracuse, New York; along with several nieces, nephews, special friends, and his beloved dogs, Ginger and Tonto.
In accordance with Dwight’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will follow at 7:00 pm with Pastor Mark Minor and Pastor Craig Smith officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date at Hope Cemetery in Ina, Illinois.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
