Background
History Dan R. Tonkovich was the son of Clara (Offchinik) Tonkovich of Benwood, West Virginia, and Daniel Tonkovich.
History Dan R. Tonkovich was the son of Clara (Offchinik) Tonkovich of Benwood, West Virginia, and Daniel Tonkovich.
Bachelor, W. Liberty State College. Master of Arts, Maxwell School, Syracuse (New York ) University.
He was a graduate of Bishop Donahue Memorial High School in McMechen and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Liberty State College and a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. Tonkovich then served in the United States Army Infantry in Vietnam. Career Tonkovich was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1972 and 1974 and was then elected to the West Virginia Senate from the 2nd Senatorial District in 1979, the first senator from Marshall County elected to the office and was named one of the "Outstanding Young Men of America" in 1974, 1976 and 1977.
Tonkovich was appointed Senate Majority Whip in 1981 and Senate Majority Leader in 1983.
In 1984 he was elected again. In December 1989, Tonkovich was sentenced to five years in prison and fined $10,000 in federal court for extorting $5,000 from gambling interests.
Tonkovich died at age 55. His body was discovered about 6 p.m.
Mull stated. Tonkovich"s death was announced on the Senate floor and senators observed a moment of silence.
Member of Lambda Chi Alpha.