From left: Dr. Russell Uptegrove, Warren County Coroner, the late Judge Rachel A. Hutzel, and Ron Ferrell, Mason Police Chief.

From left: Dr. Russell Uptegrove, Warren County Coroner, the late Judge Rachel A. Hutzel, and Ron Ferrell, Mason Police Chief.

The first woman to serve as a judge on the Twelfth District Court of Appeals died over the weekend after losing her battle with cancer. Rachel A. Hutzel was 56.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the rotunda of the Warren County Administration Building in Lebanon to honor her life and career.

Judge Hutzel joined the appeals court on February 10, 2011. She also claimed another first in her public service career, becoming the first woman to serve as Warren County prosecutor in 2003.

During her time as prosecutor, she made the prosecution of child abusers a priority and was instrumental in the opening of the Child Advocacy Center of Warren County in 2008.

Hutzel is survived by her husband Jeff Blazey, son Matt Blazey, mother Patricia Hutzel, seven brothers and five sisters.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Lebanon. Arrangements are being handled by the Stine Kilburn Funeral Home of Lebanon.