STEPHEN G. S. LANKENAU

     Stephen  Gould  Schuyler  Lankenau, age 74 years of Pemberton Borough, NJ passed away peacefully on February 23, 2025, Sunday evening in Camden, NJ.

     Steve was born on April 19, 1950 in Long Branch, NJ to Grace Schuyler and Harold Lankenau.  The family resided in Allenhurst on the central Jersey coast and were members of the Allenhurst Beach Club which Steve greatly enjoyed. Steve loved the ocean, boats, surfing, diving for lobster along the jettys, scuba diving and water skiing. He was a strong swimmer and fearless in the ocean. His  first job at the age of sixteen was a lifeguard for the south beach in Ocean Grove, NJ.  Steve was on the swim team at Jersey Wahoos in Mt. Laurel, NJ.  

     In 1956 his parents bought the present day Lankenau Funeral Home in Riverside and the family split their time between the two towns.  Steve was a 1968 Graduate of Moorestown Friends School where he met his future wife Suzanne B. Wilson in the 9th grade.  He was an all star wrestler while in high school.  Steve started his first year of college at Grove City College in PA  in hopes of becoming a physician.  The first summer his life changed when his father Harold suddenly passed away at the age of 49 years.  He started school at Trenton State College and then transferred to American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City, NY. and earned his funeral director license.  Steve purchased the Mail Funeral Homes in Pemberton in 1976,  Collins & Son Funeral Home in Pemberton Borough in1984, Belton & Son Funeral Home in Moorestown in 1995 and opened The Lankenau Funeral Home in Vincentown in 2000.  Steve and his wife Suzanne opened Riverside Floral Company in 1990.  Steve was a wonderful cook and former owner of the Country House Restaurant in Pemberton from 1997 to 2004.  He owned a summer home in Sea Isle City, NJ from 1990 to 2015 and is to this day a member of the Sea Isle City Yacht Club where his family were very active members and greatly enjoyed.

     Steve was a member of numerous organizations, NJ State Funeral Directors Assoc., Burlington County Funeral Directors Assoc., Beverly-Riverside # 107 Masonic Lodge, Masonic Scottish Rite,  Lions Club & past president, the Moose, Odd Fellows International & Eden-Stanley American Legion Post # 294  SAL. Former member  of the Salvation Army.  Steve was the owner of antique & vintage cars and  was a member of the Franklin Club.  Steve was infamous for his jokes and loved to tell comical stories.   He also enjoyed horseback riding & the Tinicum Polo Assoc. in Tinicum Twp, PA, snow skiing and had many Persian cats in later years.

     Steve is survived by his Loving wife of 48 years Suzanne (nee Wilson),  His children Stephen Harold Lankenau & his wife Andrea,  Eileen S. Noakes & her husband Douglas and Jeffrey K. Lankenau & his wife Lindsay. There are 7 grandchildren, Gabriel & Skyler Lankenau, Dougie & Tristan Noakes and Logan, Brody & Brielle Lankenau.  Also survived by his sister Margaret "Peggy" Thomas.    

     Visitation for Steve's relatives and friends will be held at The Lankenau Funeral Home, 31 Elizabeth St., Pemberton Borough, NJ 08068 on March 3, 2025, Monday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 PM & evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and on March 4, Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 12:00 Noon followed by the service at 12:00 Noon.  The commital  service and entombment will be held at Parkview Cemetery Mausoleum at Kirby's Mill, Medford, NJ on March 5, Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 PM.

     Memorial contributions in memory of Steve may be made to the donor's favorite charity. 

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