NORWICH – A well-known Norwich and Sidney clergyman died in Samaritan Village, Hughson, Calif. on Nov. 26, 2006. Myron E. Jaenecke was pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Norwich from 1953 until 1973. He also served St. Luke’s Lutheran Church until 1961.
Mike, as he was known by his many friends, was born in Tonawanda on Oct. 12, 1920 and graduated from North Tonawanda High School. As a young man he worked on his grandfather’s farm in Niagara County . He then studied agriculture at Cornell University, where he graduated in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree from what is now New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Pastor Jaenecke went on the study at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1952. He was ordained in June of 1953 and became pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Norwich shortly thereafter.
During his tenure in Norwich, Pastor Jaenecke was active in community affairs and touched the lives of many people. In 1961 he became the chaplain of the Chenango County Jail. Under Sheriff Joseph Benenati, he worked to bring a better education to its inmates.
In 1966, Pastor Jaenecke, along with Rabbi Shapiro and Sheriff Benenati, traveled to the Marion, Ill. Prison to observe their prisoner work relief program. They came back to Norwich and instituted a similar program at the Chenango County Jail. This project was also supported by Edward O’Hara of Norwich Mills, J.K. Weinman of Norwich Shoe Company, and other businessmen in the area. The program gave the prisoners another chance in life. He was also Vice Chairman of the Camp Pharsalia Christmas Program and was instrumental in establishing a Mental Health Clinic in Norwich and served on its board of directors.
Pastor Jaenecke was awarded the Liberty Bell Award, by the Chenango County Bar Association. This award was established to acknowledge outstanding community service.
After his retirement in 1973, he returned to his roots and assisted his brother in the strawberry nursery business in Greeley Hill. He is recognized as one of the founders of Mountain Lutheran Church in Groveled, California.
Services were held in California.
A memorial mass will be held at St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church in May.
Anyone wanting to honor Rev. Jaenecke’s memory may do so through the Endowment Fund at Christ Lutheran Church in Norwich.