Reverend Lawrence E. “Stretch” Mierenfeld died on August 11, 2026, in Kettering, Ohio. He was born on December 15, 1947, in Cincinnati, and was baptized at St. George Church, Cincinnati. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary, Cincinnati, and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood. He was ordained on June 2, 1973, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, Cincinnati, by Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin.
Father Mierenfeld received his first assignment on June 20, 1973, as assistant at St. Helen Parish, Dayton. On June 23, 1975, he was appointed pro tem to the Dayton Office for the Catholic Youth Organization. On August 10, 1976, he was appointed associate of Ascension Parish, Dayton. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley for a two year term, beginning April 1978. On July 29, 1983, he was appointed associate of Mary, Help of Christians Parish in Fairborn, Ohio. Father Mierenfeld was appointed pastor of St. Henry Parish, Dayton for a six year term, commencing on February 1, 1989, and reappointed to another six year term as pastor of St. Henry Parish on February 6, 1995. On July 10, 2001, he was appointed pastor of Incarnation Parish, Centerville for a period of six years, and re-appointed as pastor of Incarnation Parish for another six year term, on July 11, 2007, and on July 11, 2013. During this time, he was also appointed Dean of the Dayton Deanery on January 1, 2011, for a four year term, ending on December 31, 2014. Father Mierenfeld retired from active ministry on June 30, 2018.
Reception of the Body: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Church of the Incarnation, 55 Williamsburg Ln., Centerville, Ohio 45459; (937-433-1188.) Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend Brian W. Phelps. Visitation following the Reception of the Body and continuing until 7:00 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 10: 00 a.m. at Church of the Incarnation. Celebrant: Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer; Homilist: Reverend Christopher J. Worland. Luncheon: immediately following at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (in Friendship Hall), 6245 Wilmington Pike, Centerville, Ohio 45459.
Committal: Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Old St. Joseph Cemetery, 3819 W. Eighth St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45205. Celebrant: Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer.
Associates of the Marian Pact are asked to offer, as soon as possible, one Mass for the repose of the soul of Father Mierenfeld, and when convenient, to provide for the celebration of two other Masses.
May God welcome Father Mierenfeld, His servant and priest, into the glory of heaven. May he rest in peace.
