Clarke Lawson Wilhelm

Clarke Lawson Wilhelm, age 91, of Granville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Sept 28, 2026. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Elizabeth and Wilbur.

A loving husband to his adoring wife of 63 years, Sara Jean, Clarke is survived by his 4 grateful sons and daughter-in laws, Brian, Bruce(Tracy), Brett (Shana) and Kevin (Jo), his five grandchildren - Luke, Henry, Greg, Yves and Kirby, and two nieces, Sadie and Mamie. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Greg (Patricia).

A master of wit, pun, and historical knowledge, Clarke taught at Denison University in the History & Cinema Departments for 32 years (1962 - 1994). He was renowned for sharing his passion for movies and historical events with his students, whether it be the Civil War, Frontier, American or World History. Many of his students remember him for the energy and volume he brought to his lectures; sometimes dressing in costume for class and using his own handmade videotapes to bring battlefields to life. He was also Chair of the first University Senate and of the History Department, on three different occasions.

A Denison colleague once said of him, "There may be another person on this planet who has read more books, and who has watched more movies, but nobody has watched more and read more collectively than Clarke."

Upon retiring, Wilhelm opened A Place in History bookstore in downtown Granville, where he spoke knowingly to his customers about each of his books - as he had read every single one. He also gave dozens of free talks at the Granville public library on historical figures and world explorers.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Wilhelm received his Masters and Doctorate of History degree from Johns Hopkins University. Above all else, he will be remembered most as a man who put his family above all else. Clarke was never one to miss one of his sons’ games or performances. He also made sure that his sense of humor and wit was carried on through introducing them to Monty Python, Dave Allen, Benny Hill, and B-movies well before it was age appropriate.

Clarke will be dearly missed by all. A service will be held for him at Granville’s St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, October 11th (2 pm). The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Luke’s Market Street food pantry. Click here to make an online donation.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral & Cremation Service is honored to care for Clarke and his family.