Keith Hager

Keith Alan Hager, 69, of Payneville, Ky., died July 28, 2025, peacefully surrounded by family.

He was born Oct. 6, 1955, in Louisville, Ky., to Kenneth and Lois Hager.

Keith was a storyteller, a loyal friend, and the kind of man who made every room feel warmer just by walking into it. He loved good whiskey, classic rock and blues, milk chocolate, and long drives with no destination. A business owner and lifelong farmer, he had a deep bond with the land and the animals he cared for. He wore his roots with pride — deeply Kentuckian, with a heart big enough to stretch far beyond his home. His friendships ran wide, from his community in Meade County to the snowy mountain passes of Alaska and the deserts of Afghanistan. He never met a stranger and never let a friend go without.

Keith married the love of his life, Kimberly (Heibert) Hager, in 1980. They were partners in every sense of the word for 45 years — building a life and family grounded in laughter, resilience, and devotion. He was a proud father who poured his heart into raising his three children, Allison, Sammy, and Katie, each of whom carry pieces of his spirit and sense of humor.

He believed deeply in loyalty, in generosity, and in showing up for the people he loved. He’d give you the shirt off his back without a second thought — whether you were family, friend, or a stranger who simply needed a hand. His presence was steady, his laugh unforgettable, and his advice — often delivered with a colorful turn of phrase — was treasured by many.

Survivors include his wife, Kimberly; his son, Samuel Hager; daughter, Katherine Hager; his sister, Debra (Hager) Bruington; Aage Faester and John Hall; two beloved dogs, Violet and King; and dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family — along with hundreds of friends who considered him family, too.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Allison Leigh Hager-Faester; his parents, Kenneth and Lois Hager; and his sister, Jennifer Hager.

Visitation will be held at Bruington-Jenkins-Sturgeon Funeral Home on Thursday, July 31 from 2:00-8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. As well as, on Friday, August 1 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Apostle Church with mass beginning at 11:00 AM.