Rita June (Iske) Line
April 1, 1932 - March 1, 2018
Rita June (Iske) Line, age 85, lifelong resident of Hamilton, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 1st, 2018. Born April 1, 1932, to Hilbert and Elizabeth Iske, Rita was a graduate of the Hamilton High School class of 1950. She attended Miami University as a flute and piccolo player, where she was a member of the Miami Marching Band, Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. In 1955, she became the principal flutist of the newly-formed Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, a position that she held for over 40 years. She also performed with the Dayton Opera Orchestra, the Kenley Players (Dayton), The Middletown Symphonic Band, the Hamilton Concert Band, Rotary Revels, Hamilton Civic Theater, as well as teaching a great number of private flute students. In addition to performing, Rita also served as a key manager and organizer of many of these groups and became an advocate for local musicians, serving as Secretary/Treasurer and National Delegate for the American Federation of Musicians, Local 31 from 1960 until 2012 in addition to working for AFM Local 1 in Cincinnati. She was active with the Taft and Hamilton High School Band Parents, serving as both musical mentor and active Mom, attending band camps and showing up in the famous “Red Van” full of percussion equipment, tubas, and flags to football games and competitions. Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Paul. Rita is survived by her children, Diane (Christina) and Tom (Pamela). She leaves an everlasting musical legacy to her many wonderful friends and large extended family, many of them flute students, all of whom will miss her terribly. A Musical Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Trinity Episcopal Church, N. 6th and Butler St. in Hamilton, beginning at 10am, followed at 11am by music and memorial service in the church sanctuary. Musical selections will include: Panis Angelicus by Franck, How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place by Brahms, as well as an upbeat Riverboat Dixieland performance preceding the service. Online condolences are available at www.weigelfuneralhome.com
Rita June (Iske) Line, age 85, lifelong resident of Hamilton, passed away peacefully Thursday, March 1st, 2018. Born April 1, 1932, to Hilbert and Elizabeth Iske, Rita was a graduate of the Hamilton High School class of 1950. She attended Miami... View Obituary & Service Information