John W. Ackroyd, age 94, of Rutherfordton, NC, died Thursday, October 25, 2012, at Hospice House of Rutherford County. He was a native of Western New York state. He was the son of the late Wilmot Ackroyd and the late Nellie Annis Ackroyd. John was a member of First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton. He worked for the New York State Highway Department. After retirement, he was the landscape designer for the Chautauqua Art Institution on Chautauqua Lake. After moving to North Carolina John became a student of Carl Veney who taught oil painting. John loved oil painting and produced hundreds of paintings that people have displayed throughout Rutherford County and all over the country. He is survived by One Daughter: Donna Peters and her husband Jack of Rochester, NY One Son: Herb Ackroyd, Rutherfordton, NC A number of neices and nephews. The memorial service will be at First United Methodist Church, Rutherfordton at 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 27, 2012 with Rev. Jack Knoespel officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Interment of the cremains will be in the church Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County; P O Box 336; Forest City, NC 28043. Guest register at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements.