Ethan B. Hoese, 23, of Litchfield, died Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at 4:22 p.m. in Elsah.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton and again on Monday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Ryan Yates officiating. Burial will follow immediately after the funeral at Cedar Ridge Cemetery near Litchfield.
Born January 27, 2003, in St. Louis County, MO, he was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Seth and Alicia (Hartin) Yates. He worked as a police officer for the Staunton Police Department in Staunton for the past two years and also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He loved being a police officer and it was always his goal after he got out of the Marines. He put first God, family and protecting the community as a police officer.
Mr. Hoese was a son, brother, father, future husband and police officer, but what he loved most of all was being a father to his baby girl, Esra Rose.
He was excited to start the rest of his life with Carlee Belle and they were in the middle of buying a house together. Family was important to him. When his dad would come into town from working on the road, he made time to meet up and make sure Esra saw her grandaddy. He was able to grow his faith alongside his mom and be a best friend to his brothers. The family is proud of the man he became.
Mr. Hoese was full of life whether it was pestering and teasing family and friends, or his family in blue. He was always first to make a silly face or say something goofy.
Mr. Hoese is survived by his daughter, Esra Hoese and fiancée, Carlee Law of Litchfield; parents, Seth and Alicia Yates of Litchfield; two brothers, SPC U.S. Army Logan Hoese and Jason Yates, both of Litchfield; maternal grandmother, Judy Hartin of Granite City; grandparents, Dennis Barbee and Elizabeth Vaughn; paternal grandparents, Roger and Donna Graves of Worden and Steve and Sherri Yates of Wood River; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James Hartin; and a cousin in infancy, Asher Lucas Ryan Yates.
Memorials are suggested to the family.
Williamson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
