Brian Keith Ricketts, 41, passed away Friday, July 9, 2010, at his home in rural Forrest, Livingston County, IL at 10:00 am.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, July 12, 2010 at the Apostolic Christian Church, Forrest with the ministers of the church officiating. Burial will be in the North Apostolic Christian Cemetery, rural Forrest.

Visitation will be from 2:00 to 8:00 pm Sunday, July 11, 2010 at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury and 9:00 to 9:45 am Monday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Forrest Public Library District or House of Life and Hope, Inc., P.O. Box 93835, Phoenix, AZ 85070, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Brian was born December 31, 1968 at Fairbury, IL, the son of James M. "Nick" and Marjorie Jean (Williams) Ricketts. He married Marie Ellen Steffen on March 24, 1991 in Forrest, IL. She survives in Forrest.

Also surviving are his parents, Forrest, IL, seven children, Emily, Laura, Philip, Matthew, Megan, Justin, and Timothy, all at home; his siblings, Allen (Alisa) Ricketts of Fairbury, IL; Amy (Mark) Shackley of Navarre, FL; Julie (Greg) Blunier of Pekin, IL; Sarah (Aaron) Steffen, Cropsey, IL and Kevin Ricketts of Forrest, IL. Other survivors include many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. We will miss him very much.

Brian graduated from Prairie Central High School, then worked for 18 years in the tool and die industry. He and his family then served two years at the Casa Vida Y Esperanza orphanage (House of Life and Hope, Inc.) in Magdelena, Sonora, Mexico. After returning home, he was self-employed and also worked for Citizens State Bank of Cropsey. He was a member of the Forrest Apostolic Christian Church.