EXHIBIT 24 - FORM 10-K, LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that the undersigned directors and officers of First Merchants Corporation, an Indiana corporation, hereby constitute and appoint James L. Thrash, the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with full power and authority in said agent and attorney-in-fact to sign for the undersigned and in their respective names as directors and officers of the Corporation the Form 10-K of the Corporation to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to sign any amendment to such Form 10-K, hereby ratifying and confirming all acts taken by such agent and attorney-in-fact, as herein authorized. Dated: February 8, 2000 /s/ Michael L. Cox /s/ Stefan S. Anderson - ----------------------------- ---------------------------------- Michael L. Cox Officer Stefan S. Anderson Director /s/ James L. Thrash /s/ James F. Ault - ----------------------------- ---------------------------------- James L. Thrash Officer James F Ault Director /s/ Frank A. Bracken ----------------------------------- Frank A. Bracken Director /s/ Thomas B. Clark ----------------------------------- Thomas B. Clark Director /s/ Michael L. Cox ----------------------------------- Michael L. Cox Director /s/ David A. Galliher ----------------------------------- David A. Galliher Director /s/ Barry Hudson ----------------------------------- Barry Hudson Director /s/ Norman M. Johnson ----------------------------------- Norman M. Johnson Director ----------------------------------- Ted Montgomery Director /s/ George A. Sissel ----------------------------------- George A. Sissel Director /s/ Robert M. Smitson ----------------------------------- Robert M. Smitson Director /s/ Michael D. Wickersham ----------------------------------- Michael D. Wickersham Director ----------------------------------- Dr. John E. Worthen Director