Dan R. Tonkovich
Encyclopedia
Dan R. Tonkovich was an American
politician who served as the Democratic
President of the West Virginia Senate
from Marshall County
and served from 1985 to 1989.
Dan R. Tonkovich was the son of Clara (Offchinik) Tonkovich of Benwood
, West Virginia
, and Daniel Tonkovich. Dan R. Tonkovich was a graduate of Bishop Donahue Memorial High School
in McMechen
. He received a B.A.
degree from West Liberty State College
and a M.P.A.
degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
, Syracuse University
and served in the United States Army
Infantry
in Vietnam
.
Tonkovich was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates
in 1972 and 1974 and was elected to the West Virginia Senate
from the 2nd Senatorial District in 1979. He was reelected to the Senate in 1980 and 1984. Tonkovich was appointed Senate Majority Whip in 1981 and Senate Majority Leader in 1983. Tonkovich was elected the 45th President of the West Virginia Senate, 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 served as President of the Bishop Donahue School Board and was a member of the Knights of Columbus
Council #1907 of Moundsville
and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Mount Olivet
.
Tonkovich died at age 55; his body was discovered about 6 p.m. on February 10, 2002, at his Benwood area home by his son, Marshall County Sheriff's Chief Deputy P.R. Mull stated. Tonkovich's death was announced on the Senate floor and senators observed a moment of silence. Tonkovich was the father of three children, daughters Stacy Tonkovich-Russell, Kaitlynn M. Tonkovich, and son Brandon D. Tonkovich of Wheeling
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
President of the West Virginia Senate
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
from Marshall County
Marshall County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,519 people, 14,207 households, and 10,101 families residing in the county. The population density was 116 people per square mile . There were 15,814 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile...
and served from 1985 to 1989.
Dan R. Tonkovich was the son of Clara (Offchinik) Tonkovich of Benwood
Benwood, West Virginia
Benwood is a city in Marshall County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,585 at the 2000 census.Benwood was chartered in 1853 and incorporated in 1895...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, and Daniel Tonkovich. Dan R. Tonkovich was a graduate of Bishop Donahue Memorial High School
Bishop Donahue Memorial High School
Bishop Donahue Memorial High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in McMechen, West Virginia. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. It was named after Bishop Patrick James Donahue , who served as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling from 1894 until his...
in McMechen
McMechen, West Virginia
McMechen is a city in Marshall County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Wheeling, West Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,937 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. He received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from West Liberty State College
West Liberty State College
West Liberty University is a school located in West Liberty, West Virginia, United States, near Wheeling. Formerly known as West Liberty State College, West Liberty University is an institution in northern West Virginia offering a variety of degrees, undergraduate and graduate...
and a M.P.A.
Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration is a professional post-graduate degree in Public Administration. The MPA program prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state/provincial, and federal/national government, and increasingly in nongovernmental organization and...
degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs is the public policy school of Syracuse University...
, Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
and served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
in Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Tonkovich was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
in 1972 and 1974 and was elected to the West Virginia Senate
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
from the 2nd Senatorial District in 1979. He was reelected to the Senate in 1980 and 1984. Tonkovich was appointed Senate Majority Whip in 1981 and Senate Majority Leader in 1983. Tonkovich was elected the 45th President of the West Virginia Senate, 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 served as President of the Bishop Donahue School Board and was a member of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
Council #1907 of Moundsville
Moundsville, West Virginia
Moundsville is a city in Marshall County, West Virginia, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 9,998 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Marshall County. The city was named for the Grave Creek Mound. Moundsville was settled in...
and Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Mount Olivet
Mount Olivet, Marshall County, West Virginia
Mount Olivet is an unincorporated community in Marshall County, West Virginia, United States. Mount Olivet is south of Bethlehem....
.
Tonkovich died at age 55; his body was discovered about 6 p.m. on February 10, 2002, at his Benwood area home by his son, Marshall County Sheriff's Chief Deputy P.R. Mull stated. Tonkovich's death was announced on the Senate floor and senators observed a moment of silence. Tonkovich was the father of three children, daughters Stacy Tonkovich-Russell, Kaitlynn M. Tonkovich, and son Brandon D. Tonkovich of Wheeling
Wheeling, West Virginia
Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.