Dec. 11, 1930 - March 28, 2012

ELKHART — Rolland J. "Cheyenne" Mabie, 81, of Elkhart, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at his residence.

He was born Dec. 11, 1930, in Elkhart to the late Arthur Monroe and Mary Alice (Atkinson) Mabie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gary L. Mabie; his first wife, Mattie "Mickie" Mabie; and close musician friend Coy Martin.

He married Teresa A. Rose on Aug. 6, 1984, in Nashville, Tenn.

Surviving are his wife, Teresa A. Mabie of Elkhart; sons Carl "Butch" (Peggy) Mabie, Arthur "Joe" Mabie and Keith (Jody) Mabie; daughters Tammi (Steve Gresso) Mabie-Carter of Bristol and Tabatha Mabie of Elkhart; five grandchildren; Nicole, Dusty, Cory, Chris and Erika; three great-grandchildren with one being "on the way"; brothers Tom (Sandy) Mabie and Danny Mabie of Elkhart; sisters Sharon (Ange) Rinaldi and Vicki (Gary) Morris of Elkhart; in-laws Dick and Pauline Rose; brother-in-law Jim Rose; golfing buddies, cousin Ray Collins and Kinky Wyatt; musical buddy Shorty Johnson; and all his friends at Mito Corporation.

Cheyenne worked the RV industry for most of his life and retired from Georgie Boy in Edwardsburg, Mich. He then went to work with his brother-in-law, Ange, building several Cheyenne trailers and also for his son, Butch, at Mabie Full Clean. He then ended up working at Kroger's where he was a grocery bagger and retrieved carts. Rolland also enjoyed collecting golf balls out of Christiana Creek and selling them to his friends.

He attended Elkhart High School and then enlisted in the United States Air Force from 1949 until his honorable discharge in 1952. He also started Dunlap American Legion Post 93, which was named after his uncle, Edward E. Mabie, who served during World War II and died in France. He was the post's first commander. He also enjoyed going to the fish frys at the Bristol American Legion, playing the tip boards and gambling with his friends. Rolland was a life member of the Bristol American Legion and Elkhart DAV Chapter 19. Cheyenne was an avid country music fan and played in his own band, "Cheyenne and the Country Boys."

A service to celebrate his life will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, where friends may visit with the family beginning at 1 p.m. Following the service, military honors will be rendered at the funeral home by the U.S. Air Force Funeral Honor Guard and DAV Chapter 19. All are invited to a meal at the DAV on Middleton Run Road following the services. At his request, cremation has taken place at Altera Cremation Service. Inurnment of his cremated remains will be held at a later date at the Veterans Tower at Prairie Street Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Edward E. Mabie Ladies Auxiliary, P.O. Box 1669, Elkhart, IN 46515 or United Cancer Services of Elkhart County, 23971 U.S. Hwy. 33, Elkhart, IN 46517. Online condolences may be sent to www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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