Bertie May (Rine) Hill

A funeral service for Bertie May (Rine) Hill, 90, of Newark, OH, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2026, at Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Newark Memorial Gardens. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, 985 N. 21st St. Newark.

Bertie passed away on June 29, 2026, in her home surrounded by family. She was born on April 4, 1936, to the late Dora and Mary (Baker) Rine.

She is survived by her husband Gail Hill; children, Ralph (Diana) Rine, Reba Dunlap, Laurie (Terrence) Kelly, and Gail (Maya) Hill; siblings, Paul Rine and Dorothy Flowers; grandchildren, Trisha (Todd) Bowman, Tonya (Seth) D’Amato, Tessa Beck, Dava (Kody) Neighbor, David Manley, John (Jewell) Lynch, Terry Kelly, and Vanessa Hill; fifteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Bertie was preceded in death by her grandson, Jeremy Rine; great-grandson, Mason D’Amato, and siblings, Perry Rine, Robert Rine, John Rine, Carl Rine, Louis Rine, Raymond Rine, Irene Morrison, Inez Barcus, and Beulah Blethen.

Bertie enjoyed early mornings, coffee, and people. She volunteered at Licking County Aging Partners and The Salvation Army. She had a wonderful sense of humor and found a reason to laugh, even when life’s circumstances were heavy. She met regularly with her former Madison School classmates. She remained close to her siblings throughout her life, always making time for them.

Among her family, “Wellll Bertie” became a beloved expression—spoken often enough that her grandchildren adopted it as a joyful catchphrase, one they will continue to use forever to express surprise or amazement.

Most Fridays, Bertie was found at the local McDonalds, coffee in hand, as she conversed with family and friends. She was particularly doting to her many grandchildren, always showing up and lending a helpful hand or a listening ear. The many decades of love she so faithfully poured into her family made caring for her during her final months of illness a profound privilege.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Ohio Hospice.

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