'Simpsonville and Shelby County are here for you': Community rallies around children of couple killed in plane crash

John Peterson, a UPS pilot, and his wife Michelle, who had just won a school board seat, leave behind two children.

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A Simpsonville couple, John and Michelle Peterson, died Tuesday in a plane crash in Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks region, leaving behind two children and a community that was heading to the polls the same day.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the plane went down at about 2 p.m. in Miller County, Missouri. Troopers say it crashed shortly after taking off from Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport. John was piloting, and the couple had stopped to refuel before the flight.

John was a UPS pilot based out of Louisville. Michelle was deeply involved in local civic life and won her school board race just hours after the crash.

Sen. Aaron Reed, R-Shelbyville, released a statement mourning the couple. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of John and Michelle Peterson,” Reed said. He described them as people who “cared deeply about their community” and showed it through years of service and civic involvement.

Reed called both of them “leaders in their own right, devoted parents and valued members of our community.” They are survived by their two children, Kylie and Tanner.

“My heart goes out to Kylie and Tanner and their entire extended family as they navigate this unimaginable loss,” Reed said. He added that he hopes the family finds comfort in knowing they are surrounded by neighbors who “stand ready to support them in the days and weeks ahead.”

“Simpsonville and Shelby County are here for you,” he said.

The NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash.

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