Robert Dean Poage, 92, of Hannibal, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 12:19 p.m., surrounded by his family.

A Celebration of Dean's Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Hannibal. Rev. Mark Hughes will officiate. Dean's granddaughter, Merci Neff, will provide music, accompanied by Lorretta Nobis and Jeff Hickerson. Following the service, a private family graveside service with full military honors will be held at South Fork Cemetery near Santa Fe, Missouri, where generations of the Poage family have been laid to rest.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Hannibal, MO.

Smith Funeral Home & Chapel of Hannibal is assisting the family.

Dean was born on April 8, 1934, in Perry, Missouri, to Orion and Thelma (Bridgford) Poage.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Beth Knight of Hannibal; his sons, Jason Poage and his wife, Carrie, of New London, Missouri, and Aaron Poage and his wife, Christine, of Quincy, Illinois; his grandchildren, Merci, Addison, Collin, Kaleb and his wife, Patricia, Briley, Brently, and Brason; his great-grandchildren, Bennett, Avlynn, and Baylor; special extended family members Nancy Pemberton and her husband, Chris, of Marion, Illinois, and their children, Jessica and her husband, Cody, Alexia, Nina and her husband, Zach; Randy Wells and his wife, Janet, of Wentzville, Missouri, and their daughter, Morgan; along with five nieces and nephews, many dear friends, and countless people whose lives were better because they knew him.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay Poage; his parents; and his brother, J.D. Poage.

Dean graduated from Perry High School in 1952 before serving his country in the United States Army. Growing up on the family farm taught him the value of hard work, resourcefulness, and self-reliance—qualities that served him well during his time stationed in Germany. In return, the Army strengthened his discipline, leadership, and sense of responsibility, shaping the principles that guided him throughout his life.

Those who knew Dean knew he wasn't afraid of hard work. He built Poage Auto Dealerships from the ground up, growing the business into one of the Midwest's best-known dealership groups. Over the years, he owned dealerships throughout Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, was an active and proud member of the National Auto Dealers Association, the Missouri Auto Dealers Association, and the Illinois Dealers Association, and served on the National Dealers Council for Pontiac, Buick, and GMC. One of his greatest satisfactions was seeing the business continue through the next generations, with family dealerships in Hannibal, Bowling Green, Wentzville, and Quincy.

While many people knew Dean as a successful businessman, his heart was always on the farm. He had a philosophy that acquiring farms was the wisest investment, and he followed it throughout his life. Farming wasn't just something he did—it was what he loved. He spent countless hours raising cattle and growing row crops throughout northeast Missouri. If he wasn't at one of the dealerships, chances are he was on one of his farms, usually behind the controls of one of his favorite Oliver tractors or dozer, clearing land, building miles of fence, declaring war on thistles, or checking on his cattle. That's where he was happiest.

Dean was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Hannibal and was also a longtime member of the Hannibal Elks Lodge and the Hannibal Lions Club.

More than anything he accomplished professionally, Dean will be remembered for the way he treated people. He believed in keeping his word, working hard, and helping others whenever he could. He quietly encouraged young employees, supported local organizations, and was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. His family meant everything to him, and he took great pride in watching each generation grow.

Dean leaves behind a legacy that reaches well beyond the businesses he built. It lives on in his family, the farms he loved, the communities he supported, and the many friendships he made over the years. He will be remembered as a devoted father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, respected businessman, dedicated farmer, veteran, and a man whose character spoke louder than words.

Pallbearers will be Randy Wells, Chris Pemberton, Collin Poage, Kaleb Poage, Brently Poage, Brason Poage, Briley Cunningham, and Joe Williams.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Harvey, Scotty Maxwell, and Dewayne Wells.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hannibal Nutrition Center, First Presbyterian Church, Hannibal, MO, or South Fork Cemetery, Santa Fe, Missouri.

Online condolences may be shared with the family, and Dean's video tribute may be viewed at smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com.