Wayne Kelly “Strawberry” Sides, 70, of Patoka, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026, at Centralia Manor. He was born on May 18, 1955, in Centralia, the son of Wilbert Dee and Wilma (Cain) Sides.
Survivors include his daughter, Casandra (Mark) Boaen of Statesboro, Georgia; cherished granddaughter, Alexandra Feast; brother, Bill (Janell) Sides of Patoka; sister, Judy Herrera of Patoka; nieces, Tabitha Sides, Laura Thoman, and Hannah Sides; and many more extended family members and friends.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert Sides and Wilma Chambers; nephew, Aaron Sides
Strawberry worked as a union laborer, adding up many days of hard work by the end of his career. He was proud to have been a loyal employee of Foltz Welding until his retirement. Strawberry was a help to all, pitching in during planting and harvest season for the area farmers and offering a helping hand to anyone else in need. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, joining in 1993 the Patoka Masonic Lodge. Strawberry was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He liked to take his boat out on the water to see what fish might be biting. Strawberry appreciated the simple things in life, family, friends, hard work and a good day spent outdoors. He was generous, reliable and friendly to all. Strawberry will be deeply missed and his wonderful way of putting others first will never be forgotten.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Patoka, with Pastor Cheryl Cain officiating. Masonic rites will be accorded at 10:45 a.m., prior to the service. Interment will follow at Pratt Cemetery in rural Patoka. Relatives and friends are welcome to the visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home in Patoka. Memorials may be made in Strawberry’s honor to his daughter, Casandra Boaen. Online condolences and memories of Strawberry may be shared with his family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
