Updated: 6:55 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2014 | Posted: 4:22 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2014

MIDDLETOWN

Former Butler County judge dies at 82

By Michael D. Pitman

Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN — 

    Longtime Butler County judge Anthony Valendied Tuesday while at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota from complications withpneumonia, according to his family.

    The former Butler County Common Pleas and12th District Court of Appeals judge was instrumental in the construction ofthe Veterans Memorial at Woodside Cemetery, and was known for his respect forthe police and dedication to the Greek Orthodox community. His family said hehad been ill since April. He was 82.

    Valen, the son of Greek immigrants and a Middletown native, is survived byhis wife, Carol, and four children, Irene Zalants, Angela Retzios, ConnieHodson and Gus Valen.

“Hewas very passionate about the veterans, and from that passion he had theVeterans Memorial built with money just from the area,” said Carol Valen, hiswife of 53 years.

    She also said her husband “loved his job”and when he made his decisions “he never second-guessed himself. I don’t thinkhe ever had an agenda for himself. Some would say he was humble. I say he was aplain man and honest.”

    Valen also “really loved” the police force,Carol said.

    “Being a judge he felt really close tothem,” she said. “He had a great respect for authority.”

    And the judge’s respect, his daughterConnie Hodson said, extended to anyone that supported the Middletown community.

    “As long as you tried to do good in thecommunity, he really respected you no matter where you came from,” Hodson said.

    Hodson said one of her father’s mostimpactful legacies will be the Veterans Memorial.

    “He really gathered the small localcommunity where funds are precious to families,” she said.

    The community was so generous in giving tothe Veterans Memorial, Hodson said, that there was enough money to create ascholarship that wasn’t just for college-bound students, but anyone seeking togain a technical education because “he was passionate about education.”

    Middletown Municipal Court Judge Mark Wallsaid the legal community, as well as the Middletown community, “are allsaddened by the judge passing.”

    “We’re going to miss him an awful lot,” hesaid. “We all have fond memories of Judge Valen. I know I certainly do.”

    Wall said Valen had continued to work wellafter he retired from the 12th District Court of Appeals in 2004 with theVeterans Memorial Committee.

    Gus Valen said his dad was a proud memberof the Middletown community. Among otherthings, the judge took pride the 12th District Court of Appeals was indowntown; supported the construction of Fenwick High School; co-chaired the HealthyKids   Campaign at Atrium Medical Center and supported thehospital’s Maternal Child Health Center; and his family was thelong-time owner of The Liberty Restaurant in downtown Middletown.

    Gus Valen said his dad was prettyinnovating on the bench, such as taking a laptop computer to the bench andallowing jurors to take notes.

    “That’s the way my dad operated because helooked at what he believed in and wasn’t afraid to be the first to dosomething, a lot of which is now common place,” he said.

    Anyone who wishes to make donations inmemory of Valen, can do so through Saints Constantine & Helen GreekOrthodox Church, 2500 Grand Ave., or the VeteransMemorial Committee, P.O. Box 853, Middletown, OH 45042.

    Visitation is set from 5 to 8 p.m. Sundaywith a Trisagion Service being held at 7 p.m. at Wilson Schramm SpauldingFuneral Home, 3804 Roosevelt Blvd. Funeral services are set to begin at 10 a.m.Monday at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Burial will beat Woodside Cemetery, 1401 S. Woodside Blvd.