UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549INITIAL STATEMENT OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 |
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Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly. | SEC 1473 (7-02) | ||
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. |
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 4) |
2. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year) |
3. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 4) |
4. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security | 5. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 5) |
6. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 5) |
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Date Exercisable | Expiration Date | Title | Amount or Number of Shares |
Reporting Owner Name / Address | Relationships | |||
Director | 10% Owner | Officer | Other | |
RECHIN MICHAEL C 200 EAST JACKSON STREET MUNCIE, IN 47305 |
 |  |  Executive Vice President | Chief Operating Officer |
Michael C. Rechin | 11/21/2005 | |
**Signature of Reporting Person | Date |
* | If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 5(b)(v). |
** | Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a). |
 Remarks: Exhibit 24 Confirming Statement This Statement confirms that the undersigned,  Michael C. Rechin, has authorized and  designated  Larry R. Helms and/or Cynthia G. Holaday to execute and file on the undersigned's behalf all Forms 3, 4 and 5 (including any amendments thereto) that the  undersigned  may be  required  to file  with the U.S.  Securities  and Exchange   Commission  as  a  result  of  the  undersigned's   ownership  of  or transactions  in securities  of First  Merchants  Corporation.  The authority of Larry R. Helms and/or  Cynthia G. Holaday under this  statement  shall  continue until the undersigned is no longer required to file Forms 3, 4 and 5 with regard to the  undersigned's  ownership  of or  transactions  in  securities  of  First Merchants  Corporation,  unless  earlier  revoked in  writing.  The  undersigned acknowledges  Larry R. Helms and Cynthia G.  Holaday are not assuming any of the undersigned's  responsibilities  to comply  with  Section  16 of the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Date: November 11, 2005 /s/ Michael C. Rechin ---------------------     Michael C. Rechin |