Biography

11/02/1915 - 10/03/1972

John Thomas Van Sant (R16) Lehigh County 1955-1970

Early Life:

John Thomas Van Sant, born November 2, 1915, Delano, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania; son of Homer M. and Frieda Sharkey Van Sant; Hazelton High School; Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri; Muhlenberg College; yeoman, 3rd class, United States Navy, World War II, 1944-1946; announcer, WRAK radio, Williamsport; sports director, announcer, WSAN radio, Allentown; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1951-1954; not a candidate for reelection, 1954; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1955-1970; elected, Senate Majority Caucus Secretary, 1963-1970; appointed, Local Government Commission, 1963-1970; elected, delegate, Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1967-1968; married, Alice Jane Ziegler; died, October 3, 1972 (aged 56) , Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; interment, Greenwood Cemetery, Allentown, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Republican, 1951-1954; not a candidate for reelection, 1954. 

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 16th district, Lehigh County, 1955-1970; elected, Senate Majority Caucus Secretary, 1963-1970; appointed, Local Government Commission, 1963-1970. 

Elected, Delegate, Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1967-1968.

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "V"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

John Thomas Van Sant (1915-1972) - Find a Grave Memorial