Three members of the award-winning Southern gospel group The Nelons were killed in a plane crash on Friday while on a cruise to Alaska, Gaither Music said in a statement. Those killed in the plane crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber Kistler and her husband Nathan Kistler, Melody Hodges, and pilot Larry Haney and his wife Melissa, who were on the Geyser Homecoming cruise to Alaska.
Jason Clark, Kelly Nelon Clark and Amber Kistler are three of the four members of The Nelons, a three-time GMA Dove Award winner and multiple Grammy nominee.
The Clarks’ youngest daughter, Autumn, was not on the flight. She and her husband, Jamie Streetman, only found out about the news after they arrived in Seattle. Autumn was the fourth member of the group.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
“Autumn and Jamie will now return to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife Rhonda as they begin the difficult task ahead,” Gaither Management Group said in a statement. statement“Please pray for the Kistler family, the Haney family and the family of Melody Hodges.”
Autumn Kistler released a statement:
“As many of you may already know, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, my sister Amber, my brother-in-law Nathan, and our dear friends Melody Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haney were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday,” she said. “I want to thank you for the prayers that have already been offered for me, my husband, Jamie, our soon-to-be son, and Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. I ask for your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the days ahead.”
The Nelons won a Dove Award for Recording of the Year in the Bluegrass/Country/Roots category in 2021 (When God opens the curtains) in the same category in 2017 When Grandpa Sang Amazing Grace.
The group’s roots date back to the late 1970s, when Kelly’s father, Rex Neron, formed the Rex Neron Singers.
The group described their music as a “blend of gospel, a cappella, hymn, Americana, folk and inspirational music.” Website.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Terry Wyatt/Stringer
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
