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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 7)
FIRST MERCHANTS CORPORATION
Common Stock, No Par Value
CUSIP Number: 320817109
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filed out for a reporting person's
initial filling on this form with respect to the subject class of securities,
and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
(CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE[S])
Page 1 of 4 Pages
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CUSIP No. 320817109 Page 2 of 4 Pages
1. Names of Reporting Persons; S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
Persons:
GEORGE AND FRANCES BALL FOUNDATION
2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group.
(a) / / (b) / /
3. SEC Use Only
4. Citizenship or Place of Organization:
INDIANA
Number of 5. Sole Voting Power: 293,720
Shares
Beneficially 6. Shared Voting Power: -0-
Owned
by Each 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 293,720
Reporting
Person With 8. Shared Dispositive Power: -0-
9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person.
293,720
10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row 9 Excludes Certain
Shares.
11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row 9
4.4%
12. Type of Reporting Person
EP
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Page 3 of 4 Pages
ITEM 1(a) NAME OF ISSUER.
First Merchants Corporation
ITEM 1(b). ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.
200 East Jackson Street
Muncie, IN 47305
ITEM 2(a). NAME OF PERSON FILING.
George and Frances Ball Foundation
ITEM 2(b). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE,
RESIDENCE.
P. O. Box 1408
Muncie, IN 47308
ITEM 2(c). CITIZENSHIP.
Indiana
ITEM 2(d). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES.
Common Stock, No Par Value
ITEM 2(e). CUSIP NO.
320817109
ITEM 3. Not Applicable
ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP.
As of December 31, 1996, the reporting person beneficially owned
293,720 shares, or 4.4%, of the Issuer's 6,603,319 outstanding
shares of common stock, all of which the reporting person has the
sole power to vote and dispose.
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Page 4 of 4 Pages
ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT (5%) OR LESS OF A CLASS.
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of
the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the
beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of
securities, check the following [X].
ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT (5%) ON BEHALF
OF ANOTHER PERSON.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH
ASSIGNED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING
COMPANY.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 10. CERTIFICATION.
Not Applicable
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete, and
correct.
Date: February 1 , 1997
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GEORGE AND FRANCES BALL FOUNDATION
By: /s/ Douglas J. Foy
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Printed Name: Douglas J. Foy
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Title: Treas.
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