Ronald Dee Coberley, 83, of New London, died Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center following a short illness. He was born October 27, 1942 to Aven and Kathryn Beck Coberley and grew up in Danville where he was actively involved in music and sports and was president of the Danville class of 1961.
A graduate of Drake University with a Bachelors and Masters Degrees in music education, Ron was hired by the New London School district in 1966 as band director, and served in that role more than 40 years. Ron built one of the most recognized small school music programs and marching bands in Iowa, routinely garnering top ratings at state music contests. For much of his career, more than half of the students enrolled at NLHS participated in band, and Ron directly educated over 1,000 different students in music over his forty years. He provided opportunities for students to perform across the US on band trips. Ron was instrumental in establishing New London school musicals with the vocal and drama departments, providing students with the opportunity to create their own version of popular musicals of the time. In recognition of his dedication to the band program in New London, the auditorium was named in his honor.
After retirement, Ron assisted with the music programs in Mt. Pleasant and Burlington schools. He was active in multiple community organizations and established a long-standing Summer Concerts in the Park series which included ice cream socials and was a popular community gathering activity. Ron enjoyed playing in, and directing, the Burlington Municipal Bands in recent years. He was a member of the New London United Methodist Church and Methodist Men and served as choir director and a Trustee.
Ron was a great father and grandfather supporting his children and grandchildren in all their activities and was an avid Iowa State Cyclones follower. He enjoyed creative woodworking, but most of all loved providing music and music opportunities for schools and communities whenever given the chance.
Ron is survived by his wife Claudia (Young) who he married July 7, 1962 at the Danville Methodist Church; children Mark (Denise) Coberley of Ames and Pam (Jim) Mann of Houston; four grandchildren, Kylee (Justin) Welch, Mackenzie (Sean) Coberley-Sorensen, Braden (Kylie) Mann, and Beau Coberley; two great-grandchildren Grayson and Harper Welch, with a third on the way; sister Barb (Coberley) Byrd; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Ronald D. Coberley Auditorium at New London High School with Pastor David Mixon officiating. Inurnment will be held at Long Creek Cemetery, rural Danville, immediately following the service. Visitation will begin at noon on Friday at Elliott Chapel where the family will receive friends from 4:00 -7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for New London Dollars for Scholars or Burlington Municipal Band. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.