Tim Steppach Obituary, BENTON, Ark. — Tim Steppach, 49, the former owner and operator of Tim’s Tavern in Benton, has died following an emergency response to a residence on West Ashley, where officers discovered him deceased. The Benton Police Department confirmed his death, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Police have said that no foul play is suspected at this time. However, officials have not yet released an official cause of death, and the circumstances surrounding Steppach’s passing remain under investigation pending the results of an autopsy.
According to the information released by authorities, Steppach’s body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for examination. The pending autopsy is expected to help determine the official cause of death. Until those findings are available, authorities have not confirmed what led to his death.
Steppach was known in the Benton community through his connection to Tim’s Tavern, a barbecue restaurant located on Edison Avenue. He served as the establishment’s owner and operator, and the restaurant became a familiar part of the local dining scene before closing in March 2026 amid financial and legal difficulties involving the property.
For customers, employees and others who knew him through Tim’s Tavern, Steppach’s death marks the loss of a recognizable figure associated with a local business. The restaurant served as a gathering place within the community, giving Steppach a connection to many people in the Benton area over the years.
Steppach’s later years also included legal and financial challenges that became part of the public record. In November 2025, he pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and received probation, a fine and other court-ordered restrictions. In March 2026, Centennial Bank also filed a foreclosure lawsuit involving Steppach, Tim Steppach LLC and the restaurant property.
As authorities continue working to establish the cause of death, no individual has been identified as responsible, and police have reiterated that foul play is not currently suspected. Funeral or memorial arrangements have not been provided in the information available.
For those who knew Steppach through his years in Benton and his involvement with Tim’s Tavern, his death brings an end to the life of a familiar local business owner. His official cause of death remains pending, and additional information is expected as authorities receive the autopsy results and complete their investigation.
