Services for Max Verne Ricketts, Kansas City, Mo., were held Saturday in St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Mr. Ricketts, 73, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 1989, in Trinity Lutheran Hospital, Kansas City. Mo.

He was born Dec 21, 1915, in Osawatomie, the son of Samuel Edward Ricketts and Fanny Ellen Singletary Ricketts. He grew up in Osawatomie and attended local schools, graduating from Osawatomie High School in 1934.

In 1940, he began working for the United States Department of Defense in Washington D.C. He worked there until1953. At that time, he moved to Chicago, Il., where he worked for Marshall Fields Department Store until retiring in 1978

Mr. Ricketts was a member of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception of Kansas City, Mo.

Among those preceding in death were four brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include a brother Glenn Ricketts, Osawatomie.

The Rev, Robert D. Pool conducted the services. Alter boys were Ryan O'Rear and Matthew O'Rear, great-nephews of the deceased. The obituary was given by Steven Ricketts, a nephew. A poem entitled "They Walk Softly" was recited by Marie Shelden, a niece.

Pallbearers were nephews, Steven Ricketts, Stan Ricketts, William Skeens, Donald Skeens, Milton Skeens, and newhews-in-law, LaMoine Manning, Les Woodrum, Rowland Timberlake,and J.G. Shelden.

Mr. Ricketts was cremated. Arrangements were under the direction of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home.

Memorials have been established in his name to St. Philip Neri Catholic Church and the American Cancer Society.