Scott R. Nein

Scott R. Nein, former State Senator and Community Leader, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2023 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard C. and Betty Lou (Finlay) Nein, who instilled in their sons at the earliest of age, the values of friendship, community and service.

Senator Nein is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Janis (Ireland) Nein; children, Jason Nein of Middletown, Courtney (Nathan) Smith of Columbus, Beckett Nein of Columbus & Brody (Christina) Nein of Middletown; grandchildren, Kiptyn, Peyton, Dylan & Daxton Scott Smith of Columbus; brothers, Rick (Barb) Nein of Middletown & Tom (Susan) Nein of Winchester, Kentucky; and many loving nieces & nephews. 

Senator Nein had a distinguished career in business, politics and public service, spanning 3 decades. Nein began his political career in 1987 when elected to the Middletown Board of Education, where in 1990 he was elected by his colleagues as President of the Board.

In 1990, Nein made the decision to further his service to community and ran for an open seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. In 1995 during his third term, Nein was elected by his House colleagues as Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Later in 1995 Nein was appointed by the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus to fill the balance of an unexpired term in the 4th Senate District (Butler & Preble Counties). Senator Nein was subsequently elected to two full terms, where he served as Chairman of the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee.  In 2004, as the most senior member of the Ohio Senate, Nein was confirmed as Dean of the Ohio Senate.

While in the Ohio General Assembly, Nein sponsored many important and meaningful pieces of legislation. Nein was proud of his conservative voting record on behalf of the citizens of Butler and Preble Counties. In 2000, Senator Nein was recognized by the United Conservatives of Ohio as "Legislator of the Year" for his conservative fiscal views and voting record.

Senator Nein may be best known for his sponsorship of Senate Bill 239 in the 121st General Assembly.  This meaningful legislation, and it's passage, would later be called by Nein as his "proudest moment" in the Ohio General Assemby. Senate Bill 239 made it a "crime to injure or cause the death of a fetus." Best known by Senator Nein and others as the "Daly Bill", the genesis of the legislation was a tragic automobile accident that claimed the life of Suzanne Daly and her near full term son. Almost immediately challenged by opponents of the legislation, the "Daly Bill" has been upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court as Constitutional and stands as the law of Ohio.

An active leader of his community, Nein was proud of his service on the Board of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce, member of the Board of the Butler Unit of the American Cancer Society, President of the Middletown Area Independent Insurance Agents Association, President of the Middletown Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.

In 2005, Senator Nein was presented the Miami University Presidential Medal by then President James Garland, for his support of All Things Miami. Senator Nein, with the full support and encouragement of the Senate President and Senate Finance Chairman, inserted language in the Capital Spending Legislation providing the necessary funding to start construction of Miami's Voice of America Campus.

At the conclusion of Nein's political career in 2004, Nein was hired and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, where he worked until his retirement in 2017.

In retirement, Nein spent time reconnecting with old classmates, neighbors, business associates, and legislative colleagues (Republican and Democrat), Friends All. And best of all....spending time as Papaw and attending the activities of his grandchildren.  He loved them more than they will ever know !!

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, September 1, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown.  The family will visit with friends following the service in the Community Room.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Nein Family Fund, c/o Middletown Community Foundation, 300 N. Main St, Suite 300, Middletown, Ohio 45042 or a charity of your choosing.

Please sign the guestbook at WilsonSchrammSpaulding.com