Dr. Tonne was born in Elmhurst, Illinois.  He graduated from Benet Academy in Lisle in 1964 and received his B.S. degree in biology from Benedictine University in 1968.  In 1972 he received a D.D.S. degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry.  Dr. Tonne is a member of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy of Dentistry.

In 2001-02 Dr. Tonne was elected president of the Illinois State Dental Society.  He has been a member of the American Dental Association since 1972 and was on the ADA Council on Communications 1996-99, chairman 1998-99.  He has served as president of the U.S. Grant Dental Society in 1981-82 and is again the president for 2009-10.

Dr. Tonne served for nineteen years on the Jo Daviess County Board of Health and on the Carroll County Board of Health during 2004-05.  He is president of Blackhawk Hills, a 6-county Resource Conservation and Development Council.  He is a member of the Jo Daviess County Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.  He is dental consultant to Big Meadows Nursing Home and a member of the Church of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Elizabeth.

Dr. Tonne and his wife, Peg, live in rural Hanover and have two daughters.  His hobbies include golf, sailing, and babysitting five grandchildren.