Thomas H. Bialk Sr., 62

GALESTOWN, Md. - Thomas Hoyt Bialk, Sr., 62, of Galestown, died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at his residence. Born Nov. 14, 1946, in Salisbury, he is the son of Rita Calloway Ryle of Galestown and the late Thomas Joseph Bialk, Jr. Tommy was a 1964 graduate of North Dorchester High School. He was proud of his German heritage, and the military service record of his family and felt that it was his duty to serve his country. He enlisted in the US Army and was an Army Ranger stationed in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969, serving as a squad leader for long range reconnaissance patrols, attaining the rank of sergeant. For many years he worked at Dupont, retiring in 2000 as a control panel board operator. He was a member of Dor-Wic American Legion Post 218 in Sharptown and he was always ready to help a friend in need. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Kobosa Bowling Bialk, whom he never failed to profess his love to every day; the children he loved, a daughter, Leah Messick of Laurel and her husband M. L.; three sons, Thomas H. Bialk, Jr. of East New Market and his wife Teresa, Gregory A. Bowling of Delmar, Md., and his wife Nicole, and Joseph H. Bialk of Salisbury and his companion Marisa; his six grandchildren that he considered a precious gift, Cole Messick, Raeann Bialk, Jacob Bialk, Julian Bowling, Caleb Bowling, and Alania Bowling; two sisters, Connie Seitz of Ocala, Fla., and Dawn E. Bialk of Laurel; one niece, Sharon Drown of Clyde, Ohio; a nephew, Thomas H. Johnson, of Manassas, Va. The family received friends Friday, Oct. 23, at the Zeller Funeral Home in East New Market. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the funeral home. Rev. Dr. R. Jervis Cooke officiated. Interment followed in Galestown Cemetery. Donations in memory of Mr. Bialk may be made to American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21803; or to Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America, 386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016.