Rita E. Yokers

Rita E. Yokers, age 88 of Hamilton, passed away at Westover Retirement Community on Monday, January 26, 2015. She was born in Hamilton on April 24, 1926 to James and Mary (Falconi) DeFazio. She was a 1944 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Hamilton. Rita graduated from the Nurse Cadet program at Good Samaritan Hospital in 1947. She became a public health nurse, and on February 7, 1953 in Hamilton she married Edward J. Yokers, and he preceded her in death in 2001. After several years as a well known and loved school nurse, she became the Director of Health Services for Hamilton City Schools. During this time, Rita earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Thomas More College, and a Master’s Degree from Miami University. She was active in many clubs and organizations, including the Altrusa Club, and was a board member of the YWCA, receiving the 1994 outstanding woman of achievement award.

She is survived by her children, Mary Beth (Paul) Herbeck, Diane (Steven) Dumbauld, James (Gohar Chitechyan) Yokers, and Mark (Deborah) Yokers; 13 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and a devoted friend, Tom Weber. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Yokers; grandson, Michael Deger; three sisters, Rosella Pfirman, Mary Louise Young, and Dorothy Orloff; and three brothers, Paul "Butch" DeFazio, Lawrence DeFazio, and John DeFazio; and her parents.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church, 224 Dayton St., on Friday, January 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM with Fr. Michael Pucke, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the Brown Dawson Flick Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue. Memorial contributions can be made to the Rita Yokers Scholarship Fund C/O Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, 375 Dixmyth Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45220.