Phyllis Bottles

Phyllis Bottles, age 94, passed on to be with the Lord on February 22, 2023. She was born in Indianapolis on September 8, 1928, the only child of Herman and Ruth Koehler.

Phyllis put God first and had great faith in the Lord. She grew up and was married at Garfield Park United Church of Christ. She worshiped and served in that church for 91 years before it closed and from then on she attended Life Point Church.

She graduated from Manual High School and Butler University where she obtained a degree in Music Education. She was part of the Jeans Club at Manual High School and remained friends with that group of girls for the rest of her life. Some of the girls were friends before high school at the age of 10. They have socialized, traveled, and gathered together for 84 years!

She was married to Don Bottles for 64 years, who passed in 2015. They enjoyed a mutual love of music, dancing, and entertaining. She would tell you he added adventure to her life!

Her married life started as an instrumental music teacher, and after five years she left that career to be a stay-at-home mom. Family was her second love. She cared for several family members in her home after her marriage. Hospitality was a big part of who she was – her home was always open to everyone. During her working years she was the Youth leader at church, taught Weekday Religious Education, served as a Library aid, and was a Chapter 1 tutor until she retired.

Though she was an introvert, her attitude was outwardly focused in caring and concern for others. She was routinely sending cards, notes, and clippings to lift the spirits of people who were in her life. Fostering community and relationships mattered to her. She hosted a weekly Bible study group for 12 ladies for over 20 years in her home and made sure that the retirement cottage she moved to at age 88 would accommodate the group around the table and have room for them to park nearby. That group met until this past fall. Two years ago, she started two Chinese checker groups that met at her place.

She filled her life with growing closer to the Lord, family, her love of people and making sure they felt included, and always put others before herself.

She is survived by her two children: Lisa (Dave) Johnson, and Dr. Kurt Bottles, as well as her four grandchildren: Liz (Darren) Wittkamper, Alex (Keturah) Johnson, Samantha (Alexander) Amritzer, and Savannah Bottles. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren: Declan, Jules, Lydia, Margo, Isabelle, Emma, and Finnian.

A Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, March 4th at 2:00 p.m. followed by fellowship and refreshments. This will be held at Friedens United Church of Christ at 8300 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

Arrangements are in the care of Singleton and St. Pierre Funeral & Cremation Services.

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