Obituary of Howard W. Kiefer

Howard W. Kiefer Jr. of Monticello, a trucking owner/operator and lifelong resident of the area, died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris at the age of 56. The son of Alberta Van Wagner Kiefer and the late Howard W. Kiefer Sr., he was born October 4, 1961 in Monticello. Everyone knew him as Howie. His family was his life, especially his children Lauren & Howard, and his nieces and nephews - he loved them very much. He was the best storyteller. Howie would sit around and tell us ghost stories and stories of his life, and we all loved to listen to them. Howie's career was driving a big truck in the petroleum industry for 30 plus years just like his dad. He was a natural at driving that truck and he did it with ease. Howie was a hard worker and was home every night for his family. He had a great group of "core" trucking buddies. He would always try to help them out if he could. If you needed directions to get somewhere, all any of us needed to do was to call /ask him and he'd get us where we needed to be. His other likes were 4 wheeling, hunting and relaxing at home with his wife and children. Our hearts are forever broken. He is survived by his wife of 30 years: Tina Ziegler Kiefer, and their two children: Howard & Lauren, all at home; his mother: Alberta of Monticello; three sisters: Maryann Bivins of Monticello, Susan Kiefer of Fort Mills, SC and Cindy Diakatos (Lombros) of Willis, VA; brother Michael (Fran) of Woodbourne; sisters-in-law: Gina Taggart Wells (Gregg), and Nicole Ziegler (Bobby); brother-in-law: Jason Conklin (Amy); mother-in-law: Susan Jahn; father-in-law: Gary Ziegler; aunt and uncle: Roberta & Frank Votee; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his father, Howard, he was predeceased by a daughter Amanda Lynn; his father-in-law: Robert Jahn; and a brother-in-law: Freddy Taggart. Family & friends are invited to gather on Sunday, March 11 from 2:00 to 5:00pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello. A funeral service will be held at approx 4:30pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a charity one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello NY; for additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com