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HAMILTON — Mourners will gather today, Aug. 4, to remember Butler County Juvenile Court Judge David Niehaus, who spent much of his life to trying to improve the plight of the county's most troubled youngsters.

A public funeral Mass is set for 10:30 a.m. at St. Julie Billiart Church on Dayton Street in Hamilton, where Niehaus was a longtime member. A private procession and burial will follow.

Niehaus died from a heart attack Thursday, July 31, after serving more than two decades as a juvenile judge. He was 64.

"Judge Niehaus was a very private man to be such a public figure," said the Rev. Michael Pucke of St. Julie Billiart Church. Pucke said he expects the pews to be crowded with Niehaus' colleagues, family and friends for today's mass.

"He devoted his entire life to juvenile justice," said Middletown police Juvenile Det. Fred Shuemake, who often had cases before Niehaus.

Shuemake called Niehaus a tireless advocate of juveniles and said there was no questioning the judge's commitment to kids.

Aside from his duties as a judge, Niehaus was involved in a host of local organizations and boards. Among them were the Hamilton Community Foundation, the Greater Hamilton Safety Council, Catholic Social Services of Hamilton, the Mayor's Task Force on Racism and the Hamilton Children's Home.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2511 or dwells@coxohio.com