May 3, 1924 - Mar. 24, 2016

Rolland E. Thorpe, 91, of Granger, IN passed through the gates of Heaven on March 24, 2016, while at Golden Living Centers-Elkhart. He was born on May 3, 1924 in South Bend, IN to George and Mildred Thorpe.

Rolland and Helen were married for 64 years, until her death in 2013. Rolland is survived by his daughters Shiree Moreland (James) of Granger, IN, and Vicki Hendershott (Paul) of Vandalia, MI; and four grandchildren Keith Knudsen (Tracy) of Ann Arbor, MI, Kirk Knudsen (Lisa) of Mt. Vernon, WA, Lawrence DeFreeuw (Wendy) of Mt. Vernon, WA, and Jacqueline Hendershott of Los Angeles, CA. Rolland is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren. Rolland’s sister Jean, his brother Jack, and his brother Edward predeceased him.

Rolland was in active duty in World War II in the U.S. Air Force. He co-owned and worked with his father and brother at Thorpe’s Marine for over 40 years where he enjoyed selling and working on boats and talking with his customers. In his younger days he was an avid pilot of his small airplane. He also built his family a beautiful houseboat with his own two hands and in later years built a replica of it to place on a shelf in his home.

He and Helen were members of The South Bend Cruising Club and spent many weekends and holidays with their friends and family on the surrounding lakes. When he retired, he delivered coaches for Coachmen RV for several years where he loved traveling around the country and meeting new people. He spent many hours reading, constructing model airplanes, and playing cards with his family and friends

. He and Helen spent a good part of each year in Florida with their numerous friends. Rolland never knew a stranger and was a wonderful husband and father. We will all miss him.

The family will hold a small service graveside at a later date. Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with the arrangements.

04/16/2021 DEC