Tom Balunis

Tom was born August 1, 1969 to George and Barbara Balunis in Bervard Co, FL. Years after Tom was born, the family moved to the Quad Cities where Tom attended school at Pleasant Valley including Pleasant View Elementary, Blackhawk Jr High, and Pleasant Valley High.

In 1987, Tom graduated from Pleasant Valley High School where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to play football at St. Ambrose University where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration and Management in 1991 and was co-captain of university football and junior and senior class president. His academic and sports experience earned him dual scholarships at St Ambrose University. His social skills earned him appointment as Resident Hall Assistant at St Ambrose.

Tom married Heather Ritter in 1993 and they had 2 children Natalie and Casey. Tom and Heather divorced in 2011.

Tom worked for several different pharmaceutical firms over the years including Novo Nordisk, Solutions Medical, and Physicians Toxicology. Additionally, Tom worked at Fidlar Technologies, and the last few years was a salesman for River City Pella.

Tom joined the River City Pella Family in March of 2020. Since Tom was there, he was the top producing retail sales rep. He was the first Retail rep to ever sell more than $300,000 in a single month. He was a member of the Million-dollar club each of the last 4 years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. “He was a tireless worker and was dedicated to his customers, and especially their dogs. Tom was an inspiration to all of our associates, he lived life to the fullest,” said Tom’s boss Brian Purscell.

Outside of work, Tom coached baseball for many years in Davenport. For many kids, Tom was the reason they started to play.

In his free time, Tom enjoyed spending time with family, friends, watching sports, going to the gym, playing golf, and going to his favorite QC hot spots.

Tom was known by friends to light up any room he walked into. He would always find ways to brighten your day or make you laugh. Brad Barton, long time best friends says, “Every time I spoke to him on the phone or spent the day with him our PV Pep Talk was today is gonna be a great day! Total Effort today.”

Tom is survived by his parents, George and Barbara Balunis of Ocean City, MD; his sister, Christine Clark of Maryland; his daughter, Natalie Balunis (Billy Comer) of Kewanee, Illinois; granddaughter, Bella Balunis; son Casey Balunis (Anna Martin), of Kewanee, Illinois; and longtime best friend, Brad Barton.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents.

A visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, February 25, at the Runge.Mortuary. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 26, at the mortuary. Memorials can be made to his family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.