Wayne A. Niles

WAYNE A. NILES

Wayne Albert Niles, 78, of Palatka passed way Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center in Palatka following a brief illness.

A native of Bradford, Maine, Wayne graduated from Old Town High School in Old Town, Maine. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict. Following his military service, he worked as a heavy equipment operator in the field of construction site preparation. He enjoyed cooking and, along with his wife, had owned and operated the former Big D's Smokehouse on US 17 north of Palatka. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3349 in Palatka. Wayne was a Christian, having accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

Wayne was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Niles.

Surviving are his daughter, Vanessa J. Vhay of Glenburn, Maine; his son, James Henry Vhay of Gainesville, Florida; a sister and brother-in-law, Debra and Colwell Severance of LaGrange, Maine; two grandchildren, Juliana M. Dunn and Melody M. Dunn; and one great grandson, Malachi Dunn.

Wayne will be inurned in the Maine Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, Maine on June 11, 2026 with honors rendered by a military guard of honor.

Friends may sign Wayne's online guestbook at: themastersfuneralhome.com.

Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is assisting the family.