Cecil Edward “Pete” Hoots, 94, of Sweet Home, Oregon and formerly of Winchester, Illinois passed away Saturday October 14, 2017 in Lebanon.

He was born November 14, 1922 in Winchester, Scott County, Illinois the son of the late James E. and Rose Ella (Evans) Hoots. He graduated from Bloomfield Country School. He married Maxine Northrop.

He was a WW II US Army veteran serving in the Pacific theatre of operations and participated in the battle of Luzon. He was awarded the Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theatre Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, Philippine Liberation Medal with one Bronze Battle Star, the Good Conduct Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal Japan.

Pete worked as a truck driver for several years and then as a crane operator for Kaiser Steel in Napa, California for over 30 years until his retirement.

He was a member of Bloomfield Baptist Church, a member of the Elks Lodge and several shooting and fishing clubs, and the Operating Engineers. He loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. Pete was well known for his stories.

He is survived by daughter, Barbara Ann Hoots of Jacksonville, IL; sister, Dorothy Scott of Jacksonville; brother, Carl Hoots of Winchester; sister-in-law, Patricia Hoots of Sweet Home; and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Northrop; son, Douglas J. Hoots; siblings, Kathleen Hoots, George Hoots, Paul Hoots, Jimmy Hoots, Louise Evans, Leonard Hoots and Jackie Hoots.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 19, 2017 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Viewing will be from 3:00 p.m., until the beginning of the funeral service.

Funeral services will also be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 21, 2017 at the Coonrod Funeral Home in Winchester, Illinois. Burial will be in the Bloomfield Cemetery where military honors will be conducted. Memorials can be made to the Bloomfield Cemetery or to the Bloomfield Baptist Church.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.