Theresa "Onalee" Crocker

Theresa “Onalee” Crocker, 89, of Noblesville passed away December 12, 2024. She was born the sixth of ten children, the daughter of the late Cecil William and Lucy Grace (Pillard) James. On a chance blind date, she met the love of her life, Thomas “Norman” Crocker whom she married on April 30, 1966.  

Onalee graduated from the University of Iowa with her teaching degree. Early in her career she enjoyed teaching the second grade, before she was able to teach her true passion of art. She was a gifted artist and specialized in painting china and porcelain with her distinctive style. 

Onalee was a devoted wife to Norm during his Air Force career of multiple stations, stateside and overseas, and three tours in the Vietnam War. Upon Norm’s retirement from the United States Air Force, they moved back to her home state of Iowa to continue raising their two daughters and be closer to her family. In their second retirement, they settled in Spring Hill, Tennessee making many friends and memories for 19 years before moving to Noblesville, Indiana. 

She is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Norman Crocker; two daughters, Sarah Kathleen (Eric) Swanson of Noblesville, Carla Crocker (Shane) Alexander of Jackson, TN; four grandchildren, Chase Ryan (Erin Alexander Armitage) Alexander, Paige Emilia Swanson, Annika (Nichole) Swanson, and Charles Norman Swanson; two great grandchildren, Brooklyn and Harper; and two sisters, Ruth Eleanor (Marvin) Siebels and Susan Nichols. She was preceded in passing by a grandson, Levi Thomas Alexander; and seven siblings, William James, Diane James, David James, Cecile Pillard James, Dean Eldon James, Mary Kathleen Zimmerman, and Lawrence James. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in May 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Cicero, Indiana. Details will be updated to Onalee’s tribute site where you can also share an online condolence at www.flannerbuchanan.com. 

At the personal request of Onalee, please do not send flowers or plants but rather a memorial contribution to the Suburban Hospice, 156 West Muskegon Drive, Greenfield, IN 46140. 

Arrangements were entrusted to Flanner Buchanan – Hamilton Memorial Park.