Yu, Sanghwa, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Minah Lee Yu; dearest father of Crystina Yu and Hanna (Casey) Master; loving son of Hak Hyun Yu and the late Seung Kyun Yu; cherished son-in-law of Myeongsook Lee and the late Youngwan Lee; dear brother of Soohwa (Hyekung Lee) Yu; brother-in-law of Jungah (Youngho) Seo, Minho (Chanbin) Lee, and Minsun (Sangsun) Yu; and a dear uncle, great-uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

Sanghwa was born on March 16, 1962, in Wonju, Korea, where he was raised. He immigrated to Champaign, Illinois on Memorial Day in 1980 with his parents and brother. He met his wife, Minah, in Korea in January 1988, and they were married in June of that year.

Sanghwa had a deep love for photography, art, good food, movies, music, animals and nature. He especially enjoyed discovering new restaurants, taking photographs, reading cookbooks, traveling with his wife, visiting museums, and spending time with his family and fur-family. He was a silly man who loved to laugh. He was known for his loud, kind voice and joyful laughter.

Sanghwa loved his family and community deeply, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Services:   Visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, Sunday, February 8, from 4:00 p.m. until time of service at 5:00 p.m. Friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.