A valve control device for a processing valve includes control electronics for controlling a drive and a measuring system for determining the position of an element movable within the valve control device along a straight direction of movement. The measuring system includes a transmission arrangement for transmitting an excitation wave, a resonator secured to the movable element and in which a resonant electric vibration is generated by the excitation wave, a receiving arrangement in which a signal is generated by a resonant wave generated by the resonant electric vibration, and measuring electronics connected to the transmission arrangement and the receiving arrangement. The measuring electronics generate the excitation wave in the transmission arrangement and determine the position of the movable element relative to the receiving arrangement from the signal of the receiving arrangement. A processing valve improved by the valve control device is also described.