Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband, Jason Nelon Clark, and their daughter Amber Nelon Kistler of the Grammy-nominated gospel family group the Nelons were killed in a plane crash while on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.
Amber’s husband, Nathan Kistler, was also killed, as well as the band’s assistant, Melodi Hodges, and the pilot and his wife, Larry and Melissa Haynie.
The fourth member of the Nelons, the youngest daughter Autumn Nelon Streetman, was not onboard the plane and was informed of the accident after arriving in Seattle with her husband, Jamie Streetman.
Originally formed in 1977 by Kelly’s father, Rex Nelon, the Nelons have released more than 40 albums and won 10 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards throughout their nearly 50-year music career.
The band was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016.