Lar L. Hothem

HOTHEM Lar "Larry" L. Hothem, author and book seller, age 68, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at his home. Lar was born July 26, 1938 at Fresno (Coshocton County), Ohio to the late Luther Clark and Edith Irene (Maurer) Hothem. He grew up in West Lafayette, Ohio, was a graduate of Wooster (Ohio) High School, attended the College of Wooster and graduated from The Ohio State University with degrees in social welfare and journalism. Lar served in the Ohio National Guard. While owning several small businesses, Lar authored more than 700 articles on many topics appearing in over 75 regional, national and special interest publications. Lar was a long-time contributing editor to The Antiques Journal, wrote the "Arrowheads" chapter of the Time-Life Collectibles Series, and was a frequent contributor to the Columbus Dispatch Sunday Magazine. He was active in the Columbus Writers' Club for many years. Lar's life-long interest in collecting, studying, and writing about North American prehistoric Indian artifacts began at a young age on the Hothem family farms. Beginning in 1976, he launched into a successful career as an author, becoming one of the country's most respected authorities on collecting North American Indian artifacts. His numerous identification and price guide books (over 35) have proven to be indispensable to both beginning and advanced artifact collectors as well the amateur archaeologist. Lar wrote regularly for Indian Artifact Magazine, Prehistoric Antiquities Quarterly and the Ohio Archaeologist. Lar was an active member of The Standing Stone Chapter and the Kokosing Chapter of the Ohio Archaeological Society, The Ohio Archaeological Society of Ohio, several other local and state archaeological societies, the Ohio Historical Society, and the Ohio Genealogical Society and Fairfield County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Lar married Sue Ann McClurg (daughter of William C. and Virginia M. Gardner McClurg) of Lancaster on August 21, 1976 at the Columbus (Ohio) Park of Roses. Together they developed Hothem House Books. Lar is survived by his wife, Sue; brothers, Dr. M.C. (Pat) Hothem of Portland, Maine, Dr. Arden (Jean) Hothem of Gainsville, Georgia, and Rev. Dr. Hugh (Ilene) Hothem of Wooster, Ohio; and by sister-in-law, Linda Childs Hothem of Sausalito, California; many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Luther and Edith, brother Ronald E. Hothem, Esq. and sister Mary Rae Gambrell. There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be announced by the family at a later date. Caring cremation has taken place at The FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Lancaster. Donations in Lar's memory may be made to the charity of choice or to the Fairfield County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, Lancaster, Ohio.