Mary Lee “Lee” Froning of Bourbon, Missouri was born on November 10, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee to William and Elizabeth (Pescia) Mantel and passed away on Dec. 11, 2025 at the age of 81 years.
She grew up on The Hill in St. Louis, Missouri attending Epiphany Grade School and graduating from Bishop DuBourg High School in 1962, during which time she played sports and learned to play the violin. She continued her education at Saint Louis University.
She married James “Doc” Froning and soon after moved to Bourbon. Later in life, they divorced.
After moving to Bourbon, Lee taught at Leasburg School for a period of time and later spent many years as a substitute teacher in Bourbon. She eventually took a full-time position with the Bourbon School District as a special education teacher’s aide for more than 15 years until her retirement in 2007.
She loved the outdoors in the Meramec and Huzzah area. She enjoyed spending time swimming, floating and visiting her childhood vacation destination in Hardy, Arkansas.
She devoted time to the Lord and cherished mornings reading her Bible.
She spent time volunteering at the local thrift store and China painting with her sister Liz. She was also a talented seamstress.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Elizabeth Mantel; and sister, Elizabeth Kessler.
Lee is survived by her five children, Jeff Froning and wife Laura of Bourbon, Missouri, Tim Froning and wife Dawn of Cooper Hill, Missouri, Matt Froning of Cooper Hill, Missouri, Tareva Kline and husband Dave of Cooper Hill, Missouri and Will Froning and wife Mariko of Doha, Qatar; 11 grandchildren, Geoffrey Froning and wife Madison, Yuna Froning, Greg Froning, Audrey Froning and fiancé John Schweer, Kagan Froning, Eli Froning, David Kline and fiancé Kenzie Williamson, Aidan Kline, Ian Kline, Sebastian Froning and Collin Froning; five great grandchildren, Drawe, Eleanor, Kade, Silas and Nolan; twin sister, Antoinette “Toni” McCants of Casa Grande, Arizona; other relatives and friends.
Celebration of Life was held from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, Missouri.
