Onis Croce

Onis Wallace Croce, 79 year-old, longtime Seminole resident passed from this life on Monday, October 7, 2013 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Oklahoma City.  He was born May 24, 1934 in Bald Hill, Oklahoma (near Okmulgee, Oklahoma) to parents George Leroy Croce and Effie Mae (Cunningham) Croce. Onis joined the United States Navy when he was 17 years old, serving our country during the Korean War.  In the Navy, Onis earned the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Medal and the National Defense Medal. In 1966 Onis opened his own business in Seminole called the Magneto Service Company, which serviced industrial ignitions and did small engine repair.  He and his wife, Kaye, owned and operated the company until his death. On June 19, 1970 Onis married Debra Kaye Lewis in Gainesville, Texas. Survivors include his wife of almost 43 years, Kaye Croce, of the home; two sons and daughter-in-law, Onis George Croce and his wife Rochelle of Moss, Oklahoma, Buddy Shon Croce of Seminole, Oklahoma; three daughters and sons-in-law, Kayla Dawn Croce-Hunt and her husband Chad of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Frankie Laverne Croce-Holman and her husband Dan of Bakersfield, California, Teresa Frances Croce-Russell and her husband Gary of Lone Grove, Oklahoma; a grandson they helped raise, Levi Croce of the home; one sister, Betty Lou Martin of Tecumseh, Oklahoma; three brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Buddy Dale Lewis and his wife Glenda of Seminole, Oklahoma, Terry Wayne Lewis and his wife Stephanie of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Bobby Joe Lewis and his wife Carolyn of Ozark, Arkansas; three sisters-in-law, Faith Croce of Oakridge, Tennessee, John Olla Bradley of Ardmore, Oklahoma, Karie Sue Kind and her husband Kevin of Ardmore, Oklahoma; 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other family and dear friends including his Bus-Station Cafe' coffee buddies. Onis is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Leonard Lee Croce and Billy Gene Croce, and by one sister, Maudine Croce. Cremation services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.  Private family services are scheduled for a later date. Funeral Information: October 9, 2013, 10:00 AM Swearingen Funeral Home - Seminole located at 1001 North Milt Phillips Ave., Seminole, OK 74868