James Allen Sundberg

MACOMB, IL - James "Jim" Allen Sundberg, PhD., 75, died at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at his residence.

Jim was born June 6, 1938, in Rockford, Ill. He was the son of Lars "Lawrence" Gunner and Marion Peterson Sundberg. He married Carolyn Frances Pickrell Sundberg on March 2, 1968.

Jim was a graduate of Rockford East High School, Arizona State University, American University, and the University of California-Berkeley where he earned his PhD in Political Science on Sept. 8, 1967.

Jim began and continued his entire 30 year professional career as a Professor of Political Science for Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. His area of emphasis was Middle Eastern Government. Jim spent a year in Beirut, Lebanon as a Fulbrite Scholar. While at Western, he served on several departmental and university-wide committees. Jim enjoyed being a part of the educational television series, "Eyes on the Prize."

Jim enjoyed time with his wife and extended family and was a ravenous reader. Spirited debates on a multitude of subjects were always well received.

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sister, Carol Sundberg.

Jim is survived by his wife, Carolyn Sundberg of Macomb, Ill.; sons, James Wood Sundberg (wife, JoAnne) of Lombard, Ill., and Brian Christopher Sundberg (wife, Dana) of Boulder, Colo; and grandchildren: Elise Frances, Jacob Anthony, Andrew James of Lombard, Ill., and Lille Jae, and Isabelle Jade of Boulder, Colo.

The family will host a memorial gathering on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 3:00 pm at Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home and proceed for burial at Pickrell Cemetery, both in Mechanicsburg, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may made to Habitat For Humanity of McDonough County, 1212 W Calhoun St., Macomb, IL 61455.

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