Dr. Stephen Provenza
Pharmacist
Dr. Stephen J. Provenza, who had owned the Medical Arts Pharmacy and collected antique pharmacists' equipment, died Thursday of cancer at the Meridian Nursing Center-Long Green. He was 88.
Dr. Provenza, who lived in Northeast Baltimore, retired in 1977 after 40 years as owner of the pharmacy in the Medical Arts building at Cathedral and Read streets, Baltimore.
The Baltimore native graduated from City College and earned bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and a doctorate at Milton University.
His collection of antique pharmaceutical equipment consisted largely of apothecary jars. They were made of Limoge porcelain, delftware and faience, one of them dating to 1708, and in many shapes, including some with spouts for syrup.
The jars were heavily decorated and often carried the name of the contents in ornate lettering -- Aqua Vitae for brandy; Quina for chichona bark, the source of quinine; and Cerato di Galeno, which would be known today as cold cream.
The collection also included brass and iron mortars and pestles and books, including the first United States Pharmacopoeia, published in 1820 in Latin and English to establish quality standards for pharmaceutical and medical products.
Dr. Provenza was a member of professional groups and had been president of the pharmacy school alumni association and the Baltimore Retail Druggists Association.
He was a member of the Maryland Historical Society and Rho Chi honorary pharmaceutical society.
A Mass of Christian burial was to be offered at 10 a.m. today at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles St., Baltimore.
He is survived by his wife, the former Mary Ann Fulco; three nieces; and two nephews.
Charles H. Gerwig
Contract specialist
Charles H. Gerwig, a retired Navy contract specialist, died Wednesday at the Finksburg home of a son of complications to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. The White Marsh resident was 87.
He retired 20 years ago after about 40 years as a civilian employee of the Navy.
The Baltimore native was a graduate of the Polytechnic Institute. He earned a pilot's license while in his teens and joined the Naval Reserve.
He was called up at the start of World War II and served as a warrant officer. At the end of the war, he had been promoted to lieutenant. He retired from the Naval Reserve in 1960.
He was a member of the Adherence Lodge of the Masons, the Scottish Rite and Boumi Temple, where he was active in the Hillbilly Clan, an entertainment group, and the Legion of Honor.
He started the Legion of Honor's fund-raising events for the Shrine's crippled children's hospital and, nationally, he chaired the Legion's volunteer program for veterans. He was a volunteer for many years at the Fort Howard Veterans Hospital and was a member of several veterans organizations.
His wife, the former Mary Richardson, died in 1974.
Services were set for 10 a.m. today at the Lassahn Funeral Home, 7401 Belair Road, Overlea.
Survivors include two sons, Charles H. Gerwig Jr. of Ormond Beach, Fla., and Theodore F. Gerwig of Finksburg; four granddaughters; and a great-grandson.
Jane Matthews
Teacher at St. Paul's
Jane Matthews, a retired teacher, died Wednesday of cancer at her home in Timonium. She was 72.
She retired in 1984 after 23 years at St. Paul's School, where she taught fourth-graders and was instrumental in establishing the Lower School Computer Laboratory.
Jean Shreeve, former head of the Lower School, described her as "one of the most popular" teachers and said that she "always challenged her students to perform to the very best of their ability."
The former Jane Black was born in Bogota, N.J., and served in the Women's Army Corps during World War II. After the war, she earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Maryland.
A Mass of Christian burial was to be offered at 10 a.m. today at the Roman Catholic Church of the Nativity, 1809 Vista Lane, Timonium.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Warren G. Matthews; two daughters, Linda Robertson of Timonium and Dr. Laurie Lijoi of Hanover, Pa.; a son, Dr. Leslie S. Matthews of
Baltimore; and eight grandchildren.
Don R. Marsh
Paint executive
Don R. Marsh, a retired paint industry sales executive, died Wednesday at St. Joseph Medical Center of heart failure. He was 71 and lived in Cockeysville.
He retired in 1988 as district sales manager for NL Industries. From 1972 until 1982, he had been a partner in the Stern and Marsh Co., a manufacturers' representative. He had worked in the paint industry since 1948.
The native of Buffalo, N.Y., settled in the Baltimore area in 1966. He was a member of the Baltimore Paint and Coatings Association.
Services were set for 10 a.m. today at the Lemmon Funeral Home, 10 W. Padonia Road, Timonium.
Mr. Marsh is survived by his wife of 38 years, the former Carol Suttell; three sons, Jeffrey D. Marsh of Waldorf, David E. Marsh of Baltimore and Steven G. Marsh of Denver; a daughter, Stacy L. O'Rourke of Stewartstown, Pa.; and three grandchildren. Richard Kearney, a retired phone company technician, died Wednesday at St. Agnes Hospital of complications of heart disease. He was 68 and had lived in the Charlestown Retirement Community for about three years.
The Baltimore native retired in 1978 after 35 years with the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co.
He served in the Navy in the Pacific during World War II.
The longtime Towson resident was a former master of the Palestine Lodge of the Masons and a member of other Masonic groups.
He was a volunteer at St. Joseph Medical Center after his retirement.
Services were set for 9:30 a.m. today in the chapel at Charlestown, 711 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, the former Edith Johnson.