Gideon L. Medina, M.D. of Watervliet, passed away Sept. 8, 2010 at his home with his family by his side.

Dr. Medina was born to Victor and Blandina (deLeon) Medina in Artacho, Sison, Pangasinon, Philippines.

Dr. Medina graduated from Manila Central University Medical School, Philippines in 1961. He came to the United States in 1962. Dr. Medina completed his general surgery residency from 1962 to 1965 in London, Ontario, Canada. He then served as chief medical officer and emergency flight physician on Fogo Island, Newfoundland from 1965 to 1967. He completed his orthopedic residency from 1967 to 1970 in Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital.

Dr. Medina served his adopted country proudly when he was called to duty by the U.S. Army and served from June 1970 to July 1972. While serving in the military in Fort Hood, Texas, Dr. Medina became a U.S. citizen. After being honorably discharged as a major, he moved his growing family to Niles,where he raised his four daughters and served the Berrien County community for 37 years as an orthopedic surgeon.

A man of faith, Dr. Medina attended Pioneer Memorial Church at Andrews University and was an active supporter of the Expansion Project and Tele-Ministries. His belief in God was evident to all. While in remission, after battling pancreatic cancer, he wrote a book titled “God is in Control.” In this book he shares significant periods in his life where he witnessed God in control.

On July 31, 2005 at a ceremony in Hawaii, Gideon and Rebecca Dilts wed. They resided in Watervliet and together enjoyed traveling and visiting family. Combining his work and faith, Gideon continued his ministry by organizing and participating in medical missionary clinics in the Philippines and Guam.

In his free time, Gideon enjoyed gardening, golfing, boating, driving his sports cars and downhill skiing. As recently as January 2010, on a trip with his daughters’ families to Utah, he savored five full days of powder skiing.

Preceding Gideon are his parents, Victor and Blandina (deLeon) Medina. Surviving Gideon are his four daughters, Rachelle (Craig) Hanson, of Van wert, Ohio; Roxanne (Chris) Medina-Fulcher of Columbia, Mo; Rhonda (Bubba Nunnery) Medina  of Lima, Ohio; Ramona (George) Kim of Elkhart, Ind.; stepdaughter Kristy (Matt) Wolthuis of Kalamazoo; and stepson Jason (Veronica) Baker of Phoenix, Ariz.; and nine grandchildren and six step-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Memorial Church, located at 8655 University Blvd., Berrien Springs, MI 49103 with visitation beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Pioneer Memorial Church SDA Tv Ministries and Lakeland Hospice 2550 Meadowbrook Rd., Ste. 110; Benton Harbor, MI 49022.

Online condolences, photos or memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Services have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home of Niles.