Boni Mele

Bonita Kay Mele (nee Frillman) was born in St. Clair County, Il on December 9, 1949. She grew up the apple of everyone's eye with a long loving bond with her grandparents, great grandmother, great aunts and Inez Wilson. At an early age, she learned the photography business from her parents, Ralph Frillman Jr. and Charlotte Diachiac and even assisted with aerial photography.

Boni, smart as a whip and looking for adventure, started her career "fun phase" at Charles of the Ritz, soon out of high school. Later, she loved her times in the service industry at the Lake of the Ozarks, which became one of her cherished homes. While living at the lake, she had two beloved Dobermans: Pepper and Charmin (please don't squeeze). Once, she even rescued a baby squirrel that joined the family.

Always caring for others, Boni, was a long-term advocate for her mother, Charlotte, through her later years struggled with Parkinson's. Boni led the way with appointments, decisions, and the daily routines needed to keep her safe and loved.

In her business life, Boni was a visionary in the corporate world, leaving an indelible mark on the telecommunications industry during her remarkable career at AT&T for over two decades. She was instrumental in "keeping AT&T on the map" by consistently thinking outside the box. Boni possessed a unique ability to assess needs, redesign processes, and lead implementation of innovative solutions on a global scale. She wasn't afraid to challenge conventional wisdom, understanding that "sacred cows made great burgers" when it came to improving efficiency and driving progress. Her work involved rigorous testing, from alpha to beta prototypes, ultimately empowering the company to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving communications landscape, even playing a role in the re-acquisition of the "baby bells." Furthermore, her love for travel likely fueled her global perspective, as she was a key figure in the development of offshore call centers in faraway places like the Philippines and India, perhaps inspired by her desire to see the tigers of India and the beaches of Manila.

Beyond her impressive professional achievements, Boni was a force to be reckoned with, a true "Boss Lady" in every facet of her life, whether she was leading a project at work or managing her household. Yet, despite her strong personality, she possessed an incredibly welcoming spirit. It didn't matter where you came from; Boni embraced everyone she met with open arms. Her generosity knew no bounds, often sacrificing her own needs to help others. If you were in need, Boni would find a way to provide, whether it was offering clothing, a meal, a place to stay, or simply a comforting hug. Even stray animals found a compassionate friend in her. Though she never had children of her own, Boni was a maternal figure to many, offering guidance, support, and love.

This nurturing extended to her hobbies and friendships. She spent nearly 20 years with Allan Kiefer, a cherished companion in her daily life, who will always treasure their shared activities and fun chores. Boni had a passion for the thrill of the "hunt", enjoying bidding on and rummaging through storage units. She did storage units before it was cool, until it became the "storage wars". She even dabbled in managing rental properties, all while fitting in exciting adventures like bungee jumping over Victoria Falls during a trip to Africa. Her love for her pets - Rockee, Roza, and Sazi - was profound, and she eagerly looked forward to her gatherings with the "Iron Oaks Tuesday Canasta Group," always arriving with a delicious homemade treat to share. Remembering Katie & Chris Cook & their daughter "Princess"' of the local Dairy Queen who were good friends and neighbors with whom Boni often enjoyed her favorite Heath Bar Blizzard Treat. Her friends were scattered country wide and are too numerous to mention them all.

Boni, who passed into the next life on 14 April 2025 is preceded in death by her father Ralph Frillman, her mother Charlotte Diachiac, her best friend Janet from the ranch and her boyfriend Gus Seaton. Boni is survived by her loving sister, Nicole Diachiac; her brother, Chris Frillman; her nephew, Lucas Frillman; her brother's wife, Laurie Frillman and step-mother Suellen Frillman. The family would also like to fondly acknowledge Allan Kiefer, a trusted companion and, one might say, a "Will to her Grace," whose unwavering support and dedication were invaluable, especially throughout Boni's declining health. The family is deeply grateful for all that Al has done for Boni. Her strength, warmth, and pioneering spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, compassion, and a whole lot of love.