A former Butler County state lawmaker has passed away. Scott Nein served in the Ohio House and Senate, and was named the Dean of the Senate toward the end of his legislative career. He was 72. The Middletown native died Saturday surrounded by family, according to a release from the Butler County Republican Party. Nein was a member of the Middletown School Board from 1988-1990, when he decided to run for the statehouse seat being vacated by John Boehner, who was making his first run for congress. Nein served in the house between 1991-1995, when he was appointed to fill the senate seat left vacant by the retirement of Barry Levy. Nein served in the senate through 2004, and later became the President and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, until his retirement in 2017. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 1, at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown.