Keith Bottles, retired Chicago Central district superintendent, passed away May 25. He was 87.

Bottles was born December 17, 1927, to Emery and Emma Bottles. He graduated from Trevecca Nazarene College (now University) with a Bachelor of Arts in 1951.

In 1952, he married Joan and accepted his first pastorate at Canaan Hill Church of the Nazarene in Lawson, Missouri, while attending Nazarene Theological Seminary. Bottles graduated from NTS with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1954 and was ordained that same year.  

After serving for three years at Carl Junction, Missouri, Church of the Nazarene, the Bottles moved to Illinois, where Keith pastored several churches. He also pastored Bartlesville, Oklahoma, First Church of the Nazarene before being elected superintendent of the Chicago Central District. Keith served in the position for 15 years, overseeing the planting of more than 30 non-English speaking congregations. 

A memorial service was held May 29 at Boise First Nazarene Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the Boise Rescue Mission.