Jeffrey Glenn Atherly, 29, Topeka, died Sunday, December 16, 2012 at Stormont-Vail Regional Health Center.

He was born October 14, 1983 in Topeka, the son of Steven G. and Susan J. Imthurn Atherly. He attended Carbondale schools from first through eighth grade, and then Santa Fe Trail High School, from where he graduated. He then attended Kansas State University, and received a BS degree from Washburn University.

While growing up, Jeff was in Cub Scouts, played baseball, YMCA basketball and soccer. In high school, he was active in Honor Band, debate, forensics, and was in the Santa Fe Trail High School Choraliers. He also was selected for the part of Conrad Birdie in the musical, Bye Bye Birdie. He played trumpet in Masonic Band Camps and was in Kansas Ambassadors of Band. He also participated in the FASTLANE program in Carbondale.

While in college, he worked as a DJ for Complete Music, and also worked for Pizza Hut and Gambino’s Pizza. Following college, Jeff worked at the Topeka Correctional Facility, where he was head of the mental health pod and a member of the SORT team. He attended a two-year training process at the Topeka Police Academy, graduating on September 1, 2011. Jeff was proud to serve the City of Topeka, through the Topeka Police Department, since April, 2011.

He was a member of Orient Lodge #51 AF&AM and Kappa Sigma Fraternity and had a love for Mustangs, video games, and firearms. His fun-loving smile and his ability to make people laugh was only surpassed by his selflessness and love for Sharity and his boys.

Survivors include his fiancee, Sharity Kranz, son, Logan Lane-Glenn Atherly, step-son, Eric Gerhardt, mother, Susan J. Bernhardt all of Topeka, father Steven G. and special mother Joni Atherly of Berryton, grandfather, Morris Imthurn of Topeka, grandmother, Mary Lou Atherly of Topeka, his goddaughter, Mackenzie L. Thursby of Topeka and his godson, Aidan M. Priest of Kansas City. No other only child has left behind so many brothers and sisters.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Kansas Expocentre. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery.

Jeff will lie in state from 1-8 p.m. Friday at the Kansas Expocentre, where the family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m.

For those people wishing to make a contribution to the memorial fund, checks can be mailed or dropped off at the Topeka Police Credit Union, 320 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66603. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is handling the arrangements.

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