Plane crash kills members of The Nelons family gospel group

A plane crash has taken the lives of three members of the four-person gospel singing group The Nelons. Their plane went down Friday afternoon in northeast Wyoming on its way to meet The Gaithers for a fan music cruise to Alaska.

Campbell County deputy sheriff Quentin Reynolds told Cowboy State Daily there were no survivors and that signal was received from the plane shortly before the crash.

Victims named

A statement from the Gaither Management Group listed seven people who died. The they incude Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their assistant Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Hayne and his wife, Melissa.

“One of the best loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska,” the statement reads.

The youngest daughter of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark was not a passenger and separately confirmed their identities.

“Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” her statement reads. “We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”

The Atlanta-based group is made up of Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and Kelly’s daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Streetman.

According to the Gaither statement:

‘They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise.

‘Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.’

Fans were quick to post their grief online with one saying “No words… praying for their families and friends. I am sure this video will be one their families keep close to their hearts. May the Lord be near to all who knew them. PTL they are singing in Glory and we will all meet up again one day. #comequicklylord.”

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice