Harris Peter Precht Jr. age 87, of Everton, Indiana, died peacefully early Tuesday morning June 3, 2025 at his residence.
Born September 4, 1937 in Franklin County, Indiana he was the oldest of three sons born to the late Harris P. Sr. & Marie Precht nee Wesseler.
He graduated from Connersville High School in 1955 and completed coursework in Geology at Earlham College.
Upon graduation from high school, Harris engaged in farming with his father. After five years he left the farm for employment at Philco-Ford in Connersville, Indiana. In 1974 he moved to Hamilton, Ohio and began work as a carpenter working primarily in home construction. He eventually formed his own construction crew and became an independent construction contractor. He retired in 2005 and returned to Indiana where he built his retirement home south of Everton.
Growing up on a farm Harris was deeply in tune with nature and the seasonal cycle. His maternal grandfather, Henry Wesseler, was a profound influence as together they would often spend weekends hiking in the woods, along creek beds, and in surrounding fields searching for Native American artifacts, fossils, and other items of the natural world. These experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong passion as a collector of minerals and fossils. Harris began collecting minerals in the late 1950s and soon became a regular attendee at the regional rock and mineral shows. To support his growing hobby Harris began a part-time mineral dealership in 1974 and traveled the country on long weekends to set up at various mineral shows from Syracuse, New York to Tucson, Arizona and points between. In later life, his personal mineral collection, focused specifically on minerals of the Midwest, was of such high quality and uniqueness, that he and his collection were featured twice in the national publication, “The Mineralogical Record.” He was a founding member of the Richmond Gem & Mineral Society, and held memberships in the Cincinnati Mineral Society, and the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association.
Survivors include three children; Michael (Karen) Precht of Nipomo, California; Daniel (Valerie) Precht of Brookville, Indiana and Gina (Richard) Pflug of Connersville, Indiana; 11 grandchildren / step granchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren / step great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John Precht and Charles Precht, and a long time companion, Ann Richardson.
Rev. Malcolm Greene will officiate the Funeral Service on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 12:00 Noon, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville. Burial will then follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.
Family & friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at 12 Noon, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Richmond Gem & Mineral Society. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to serve the Precht family, to sign the online guest book please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com