The victims of a plane crash in Sioux Falls are recognized for their dedication to the church and to philanthropy

Authorities in Sioux Falls have identified a couple killed in the crash of a small plane in a residential area of ​​the city City of South Dakota.
(KSFY-TV)

Authorities said Wednesday that the two dead in a plane crash on Christmas Day in Sioux Falls, SD, were a local couple well known for their philanthropy and their dedication to the church.

The Minnehaha County Coroner positively identified Vaughn and JoAnn Meyer, both 68 years old, as the only two victims of the plane crash, KSFY-TV reported.

The couple reportedly headed for Sioux Falls airport when their two-engine aircraft crashed. The authorities do not know who was flying the plane.

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Jill Onesti, one of the Meyer girls, told the newspaper that her parents had returned home after returning him visit to Grand Rapids, Mich., for his birthday. She said that her parents' involvement in church and service to God were the "foundation" of their lives.

"If the church had a need, it would fill it," Onesti said.

The Meyers were also well-known for their philanthropy, Chief Argus reported. Earlier this year, Sioux Falls Lutheran School announced that it would name a new 400-seat chapel and a performing arts center after the couple for its $ 1 million donation to the project. The couple also donated $ 10,000 to an indoor rink and was part of the Sioux Falls Community Foundation.

Federal Aviation Administration documents cited by the Associated Press indicate that Vaughn Meyer was a retired plastic surgeon who had obtained his pilot's license in 2010.

is crushed around 17 hours. Christmas day in the yard of four houses in Sioux Falls. The accident caused extensive damage in two homes, but no one on the ground was injured, authorities said. Steve Fessler said the firefighters had managed to "extinguish" the fire resulting from the accident in less than 10 minutes. The occupants of two of the four homes evacuated after the accident did not return home Wednesday afternoon, he said.

Debris from Tuesday's wreckage sprawl on blocks, said Capt Loren McManus. He asked that anyone falling on a mechanical wreck or "biological debris" call 911 so that the agents can take care of it.

A company hired by the National Transportation Safety Board was in Sioux Falls Wednesday to investigate the scene of the accident. Police said the investigation could last a few days.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.