CHIA SHAN YANG, entered the presence of Jesus on Feb. 12, 2017.  

​

Born in Beijing, he graduated from the Guangzhou Merchant Marine Academy in 1949.  He is predeceased by his parents, older brother, sister and son, Rev. Joshua Yang.  He is survived by his loving wife, Yuen C. Tsui, and children, Sara (Alfred HuYoung), Samuel (Connie Yang), daughter-in-law Esther Yang, Ruth (James LeMaster), 13 grandchildren (4 spouses), 8 great grandchildren and in China, by his sister and brother.

​

Besides being a captain in the Merchant Marines, Chia owned a shipping brokerage firm and several Chinese restaurants in the N.Y. / N.J. area.  After retirement, he became a full time missionary in 1996. He then started Rockford based Central Asia Sharing Aid (C.A.S.A.), eventually opening up the first government approved Christian orphanages and schools under the Mercy Charitable Christian Foundation (MCCF) in Kyrgyzstan.  Today, MCCF consists of 4 Christian schools, an orphanage, a disabled children’s home, the International University of Central Asia, a mountain camp and other ministries serving over 1600 students per year.  His illness never dimmed his love for the children of Kyrgyzstan and it was his prayer that the work there would continue for many years to come.

​

Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at the City First Church and burial in Scandinavian Cemetery.  The family would like to thank all who assisted in the care of Chia: Hospice and Bickford nurses & CNAs, all caretakers, church families and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund to honor Chia S. Yang will be established to benefit the ministry of C.A.S.A.

 

​