SSGT Aaron Thomas Whiteside was born on November 27, 1980, in Cleveland. Ohio. He moved to Minden, Louisiana as a child with his mother, Margaret D. Allen, where he started public school. When he was 9 years old, he moved back to Cleveland to live with his dad, Darvin Whiteside. Aaron accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and was baptized at age 10. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1999 and attended Joliet Junior College, in Joliet, Illinois from 2020 –2021. He then made a career in the United States Air Force. Aaron was a decorated Staff Sargent Class E-6 earning the following recognitions:

Humanitarian Service Medal

Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster

Air Force Longevity Service with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters

USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon (certified Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education)

AF Training Ribbon

Airman Leadership School (Resident) June 2007

SSGT Whiteside served as an aircraft mechanic and instructor. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Air force on October 9, 2017, and returned to Cleveland, Ohio where he continued to work as an aircraft mechanic.

Memorable moments shared by his family, "he was always known to be so tough." He was unintentionally funny and caring. He was a manly man and would offer to help anyone. He was strong-willed, very private, and had a very big heart. Aaron was there for his family, "he was the protector." He would say, "I am by brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper."

Funeral Service, Thursday, August 1 at 11:00 am at Heritage Congregational Church, 485 West Street, Berea, Ohio, 44017. Celebration of Life Wednesday, July 31 at Baker-Osinski-Kensinger Funeral Home, 206 Front Street, Berea, Ohio from 5:00-7:00 pm. Final resting place, Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, Rittman, Ohio.