Angelika B. (Lopatta) Benker

Sadly, our beloved, Angie (Angelika) B Lopatta Hickey Benker, 75, of Bentonville, AR, passed away on May 31, 2025 after battling an acute ischemic bowel attack ultimately succumbing to complete body shutdown. Angie was born on April 22, 1950 to Irmgard and Wolfgang Lopatta in Hanover Germany. After graduating from Sandwich High School, she went on to joined the Marines. It was in the Marines where she met and married her long love Paul Dwain Hickey in 1971, going on to have their only child Andrea Lynn in 1972. Angie and Dwain have remained great friends to this day even after they ultimately took separate paths. She eventually married Hartmut Benker in 2001.

Angie was preceded in death by her mother Irmgard, her father, Wolfgang and her husband Hartmut in 2002. She is survived by her former husband, Dwain, daughter, Andrea Goudy (Tim), granddaughter Parker Gregory (Austin) great grandsons Everett and Kenneth, sister Monica Miller (Don) and brothers Wolfgang and Harold (Lisa).

Angie was a sweet quiet personality and closeted big force to be reckoned with in a small package. She was courageous, inspirational, kind, loving, funny, full of joy, a ball of fire that showed us what can be accomplished with determination and persistence. She lived her life with love and kindness passionately taking care of animals to the very end, despite her many health challenges including sever scoliosis. Her greatest joys and accomplishments were the love of her family and friends, shelter and love of animals and the gift of being a Mom to Andrea, Omi to Parker, Austin, Everett and Kenneth.

Angie’s Life will be honored with 2 events:

Graveside Service and Military honors at The Oak Ridge Cemetery on Suydam Rd, Sandwich IL at 10:30 Saturday August 2, 2025 Hosted by Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home Sandwich IL

Celebration of Life lunch to follow at Fireside Grill Sugar Grove IL at 12:30 provided by her daughter Andrea and family. For more information or to sign the online guestbook go to www.EighnerFuneralHome.com

Burkhart-Eighner Funeral Home

606 E. Arnold Rd.

Sandwich, IL 60548

815-786-2165