Marilyn Elizabeth Ward Unthank, 97, of Harlan, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Tri-Cities Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cumberland following an extended illness. Marilyn was born on August 21, 1928 in Harlan, KY, to Viola Denham Ward and William Lee Ward.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, the Honorable U.S. District Court Judge G. Wix Unthank; her brothers, Bill Ward, Denham Ward, and Thomas (Tommy) Ward; and a sister Carol Ward Craine.

Survivors include her brother, Wesley "Buddy" Ward, and wife, Bette, of Jacksonville, FL, several nieces and nephews and a plethora of friends.

She was a graduate of Harlan High School and a charter member of the Harlan Musettes in 1945, being one of the first three members. She attended Fort Hays State University's Teacher College in Kansas and Eastern Kentucky University. She began her teaching career at Hall Elementary School in Harlan County and then continued at Loyall Elementary School. She also taught in Fayette County at Arlington Elementary School.

Marilyn enjoyed her students, always letting anyone she could know how important they were to her and the joy she had in seeing their successes. Many of her students have unique stories and special memories of her involvement in their lives. She taught geography, math and social studies. Her involvement with the Musettes, an amazing choral program, continued throughout her life as she was a loyal member of the group's alumni organization. She served on the Harlan County Library Board of Directors for more than 40 years, having held the position of treasurer for several years.  She was a member of the Harlan Presbyterian Church where she was an elder/deacon. She was named a Harlan County First Lady by the Zeta Beta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

She loved her travels which took her to France, Rome, Austria, Europe, Holland, Scotland, South America, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Canada. She collected nativities on each trip near and far, compiling an impressive collection. She was featured with her collection this past Christmas on WYMT. Among her other collections were tea sets. She loved her daily devotionals. Groups such as the Lunch Bunch and Bible Study were an important part of her life. She supported Celebrate Recovery and was a volunteer for a number of years. She enjoyed flower gardening and spending time on her gazebo.

Private burial will be in the Wix Howard Cemetery at Loyall.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church in Harlan at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests expression of sympathy be in the form of donations to Harlan First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1734, Harlan, or to a favorite charity.

Loyall Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Marilyn Elizabeth Ward Unthank.