Joe Min Ching Shih

Joe Min Ching Shih (age 97), passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 4, 2025. Born on August 12, 1927, in Leshan, Sichuan, China to parents Teng Kuan Shih and Yun Shan Hu and six siblings, Joe had a very long, healthy and happy life.

He lived through a century of incredible events. While serving in the Kuomingtang, he fought against Mao in China as a member of the army medical staff and moved to Taiwan in 1949, where he lived for many years and met and married Jean Chu-Chiao Liu (Jean C. Shih), who would be his wife for almost 63 years.

After graduating from the National Defense Medical College in Taiwan, he moved to the United States in 1966 to attend a medical technology program at the University of Mississippi in Jackson, graduating in 1968. He was hired in 1970 as a medical technologist at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he retired in 1987.

He stayed healthy by running every day and ran in road races even in his 80s and 90s and was thrilled to win in his age group in 5K,10K and half marathon road races! We will miss him dearly, but we are thankful for his century of a life well lived.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; his son, John (wife Nina DiPietro Shih); daughter, Janet Shih Hajek (husband Luke Hajek); grandchildren, Natalie Shih, Ryan Hajek and Trevor Hajek; and only surviving younger brother, Sydney (Jian Zhong Shih).

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Palms Memorial Park. Family encourages attendees to bring old running shoes to donate to charity. A celebration of life will be held at the Chinese Super Buffet at 11:00 AM, following the graveside service.

Please donate running shoes to charity at https://soles4souls.org/give-shoes/.

Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements.